AASA’s Early Learning Cohort to Highlight Best Practices for Nation’s Young Learners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
James Minichello
703-774-6953
jminichello@aasa.org

AASA COHORT TO MEET AT IDAHO'S CALDWELL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Alexandria, Va. – April 12, 2023 – More than 50 superintendents, administrators and other advocates for advancing high-quality early education programs are gathering at Boise, Caldwell and Nampa, Idaho, April 12-14, for the 2023 Spring Early Learning Cohort meeting, hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association and the Caldwell School District.

In partnership with Waterford.org and the National Head Start Association, participating superintendents in the AASA Early Learning Cohort will engage in meaningful dialogue with their peers in an effort to discover innovative solutions and review emerging research to facilitate positive change in the nation’s schools.

“AASA applauds outstanding superintendents throughout our country who are championing early learning. They are doing incredible work to prepare students to encourage their ability to dream,” said David R. Schuler, executive director, AASA.

“How are we going to prepare students for futures we can’t yet imagine? It begins with creating and examining best practices in educating our youngest children,” said David R. Schuler, executive director, AASA. “AASA applauds outstanding superintendents throughout our country who are championing early learning. They are doing incredible work to prepare students to encourage their ability to dream. We thank Superintendent French and her team for serving as hosts for this meeting.”

“Early learning is key to a student’s success, not only in school, but at home and within the community. This effort drastically needs to gain momentum across the nation,” said Shalene French, superintendent, Caldwell School District.

“In our public schools, we’re here to support families,” said Shalene French, superintendent, Caldwell School District. “Early learning is key to a student’s success, not only in school, but at home and within the community. This effort drastically needs to gain momentum across the nation. The Caldwell School District is honored to serve as host site for the AASA Early Learning Cohort meeting.”

“The research is very clear that early learning builds a foundation for future success for students and it’s important as a nation that we invest in early learning,” said Peter Finch, superintendent, West Valley (Wash.) School District and co-chair of the AASA Early Learning Cohort. “Early learning is not just preschool. It’s using developmentally appropriate practices throughout a child’s early learning years of primary school and the connection between preschool to kindergarten to first, second and third grades so that we can build a solid foundation for future success.”  

Key discussions throughout the meeting will focus on the following questions:  

• How does your district or organization currently implement developmentally appropriate practices for students of varying ability in classrooms?
• How do teachers in a school system and/or community-based organization provide access to essential standards that prepare children for success?
• How can you apply what you have learned from the classroom observations throughout the meeting in schools and communities to your own educational settings?

In 2022, the AASA Early Learning Cohort released a first-of-its-kind toolkit aimed at supporting all providers of early learning, especially school districts, as they embrace the significant responsibility of providing early childhood education. The Early Childhood and Learning Toolkit is a resource offering actionable practices that provide educators with a gateway to explore and define ways to make a positive difference in the lives of the nation’s 50 million public school children and their families.

To learn more, visit the AASA Early Learning Cohort webpage. Superintendents and other school system leaders can also contact Mort Sherman, AASA senior associate executive director, at msherman@aasa.org, or Debbie Magee, AASA program director, at dmagee@aasa.org.

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About AASA
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.