Project TLC is a project developed by the Memphis City Schools early childhood leadership development initiative that aims to improve outcomes for pre-K-3- children in the Memphis City School system, but particularly those in low-performing schools. The goal of the project is to address issues of fragmented curricula and inconsistent teaching quality by creating a continuum of evidence-based strategies that develop and support high-quality pre-K-3-three teacher leaders. The project comprises six key activities: 1) a comprehensive Teacher Leader Master's program for 24 PreK-3 teachers in low-performing schools, including intensive on-site supervised fieldwork/advisement; 2) on-site support for school leadership teams at 12 MCS Striving Schools; 3) on-site and online professional development for teachers and leaders at Striving Schools; 4) facilitated study groups and inter-visitation for Striving Schools with higher performing schools; 5) creation of a professional development video library and guide for district-wide use; and 6) annual citywide conferences. Project TLC was developed in partnership with the Bank Street College of Education and is funded by the U.S. Department of Education Investing in Innovation grants program.
Action Steps for Advocates
Engage with parents and the community to perform an assessment of needs for early childhood education programs.
Partner with local education agencies to ensure that they are working with social services agencies to get services to children in underserved communities through early education programs.
Broker connections among and between early education programs to develop full-day pre-K and kindergarten options for children in your community.
Develop a public education campaign on the benefits of early education program, including information about improved outcomes for children who participate in them.
Engage with state education agencies to form, or participate in, state early learning councils.
Demand from state education agencies a process and timeline for the development of evidenceinformed early learning guidelines, and build in a mechanism for continued parental and community involvement or reports on progress.
Articulate and share with representatives in U.S. Congress support for a continuation of the Early Learning Challenge program.
2020 Vision Roadmap: A Pre-K Through Postsecondary Blueprint for Educational Success
EXAMPLE
Develop a state and federal legislative agenda that clearly and coherently articulates priorities, including funding for pre-K programs, alignment requirements between pre-K programs and the K12 system and standards for early education teachers and leaders.
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