As part of our commitment to building a pre-k movement, Pre-K Now works to create innovative conferences that spark collaboration and strategic planning between advocates. Each year, we use satellite television and Internet technology to connect hundreds of viewing sites, organized by volunteers, in a live, interactive, national conference program. This conference model empowers advocates to:
Gather and participate from almost anywhere in the U.S., linking up with thousands of other advocates in a real-time dialogue;
Bring together new allies and familiar ones for a shared learning experience featuring the best and boldest ideas from recent campaigns; and
Hold a frank discussion about local pre-k needs, objectives, and advocacy plans and apply lessons from the conference programs to the specific context in their town or state.
The results of this approach are outstanding. Important advocacy know-how gets spread to all corners of our nation, and networks of pre-k supporters find common ground and new energy to support stronger, more ambitious campaigns.
Pre-k movements are being built in cities, states, and nationally, but, regardless of scope, an important step is getting policymakers and the public to make pre-k a high priority. Pre-K Now's third annual conference broadcast offered best practices from campaigns that are raising pre-k's profile at different levels: local, state, and federal.
Advocates for high-quality pre-k need powerful communications tools, coalition-building skills, and creative policy approaches to achieve their goals. Pre-K Now's second annual conference broadcast highlighted replicable advocacy strategies that successfully advanced pre-k in a number of states.
Strong leadership at all levels is the key to creating the national momentum and political will necessary to make high-quality pre-kindergarten for all a reality. Pre-K Now's first annual conference broadcast featured resources and tips for advocates trying to engage new leaders in campaigns for high-quality pre-k.
While reauthorizing Head Start in 2007, Congress added a new provision requiring every state to create or designate a State Advisory Council to better coordinate early education and care services. Pre-K Now has two new resources designed to help policymakers and advocates navigate the process of setting up Councils and seize the opportunities offered by them.
Families everywhere struggle to find high-quality pre-k programs for their children, but the problem is even more acute in rural areas. Pre-K Now has come out with recommendations for federal policymakers to help states meet the unique challenges of rural pre-k.
Pre-K Now held a briefing for congressional staff, cosponsored by Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Kit Bond, on October 1. Hear what a governor, three superintendents, two directors of early childhood programs, and a national teacher of the year think Congress should do to increase families' access to quality, state-funded pre-k.
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Pre-K Now Conferences
