Investing in Early Childhood Education: Making the Case for the 4K Program

Posted by Clemson University on March 9, 2015

Solutions to the Dropout Crisis
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Investing in Early Childhood Education: Making the Case for the 4K Program

presented by

Dr. Dolores A. Stegelin
Four-year-old kindergarten—also known as 4K—is one of the fastest growing programs in the U.S. Designed as an enrichment opportunity prior to kindergarten, 4K is a play-based program focused on nurturing the social, emotional, and early academic skills of four-year-old children. The importance and impact of 4K has grown based upon recent studies indicating that early childhood investments such as 4K positively impact the U.S. economy in productivity growth, job creation, and a competitive future workforce. Further, a study by The PEW Center on the States showed that effective early childhood programs also benefit at-risk children through higher test scores and improved social and emotional skills.

Investing in Early Childhood Education: Making the Case for the 4K Program will:

«demonstrate the need for high quality early childhood programs and describe the essential elements of a high quality program;
«discuss the importance of early childhood development and its positive, lifelong impact in preparing children for educational success from kindergarten through high school; and
«share information on how 4K programs benefit the nation, school districts, and communities through overall educational cost-savings per child, health improvements for young children, crime reduction, and increased rates of graduation and employment.

Supplementary materials and all necessary information about participating fully in this professional development opportunity are found on our Web site. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the National Dropout Prevention Center/Network at ndpc@clemson.edu or 864-656-4139.