SAN JOSE, CA – California currently has the country's second-lowest standard of living among children, and studies have found that poverty creates gaps in cognitive skills in babies that continue to widen as they get older. In Santa Clara County, there are more than 6,000 3- and 4-year-olds living in families who are income-eligible for public preschool but who do not receive services due to a lack of state funding.
The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is addressing this gap through its ongoing goal to "improve student equity and reduce access discrepancies to high quality education." The office will continue this pivotal work as a partner in the
Right Start Commission Town Hall event from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 21 at the SCCOE, located at 1290 Ridder Park Drive in San Jose. It is being held in collaboration with the
Strong Start Initiative of Santa Clara County,
Common Sense Kids Action, and the
Right Start Commission.
"The SCCOE, through Strong Start, is working to increase access to high quality early childhood education for all children in the county," said Strong Start Director Matthew Tinsley. "There's a natural alignment between our efforts and the Right Start Commission, who has the same goal for all children in California."
The event follows a recently released report by the Right Start Commission titled, "Rebuilding the California Dream," which presents a blueprint for a child-centered system that nurtures every child from the beginning of life. Presenters will include County Superintendent of Schools Jon R. Gundry; Right Start Commissioner Liz Simons; Corazon Basa Cortes Tomalinas, Chair of the FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Commission; and Craig Cheslog, Common Sense Kids Action Vice President of California Policy.
"This is an important opportunity to not only share information with others, but strengthen relationships with other organizations working to make the future brighter," Tinsley said.
The public is encouraged to join in the conversation. Please be sure to
register now.
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