Policy Brief: Aligning PreK-3 curriculum

Posted by on December 15, 2006

[posted from Public Education Network newsblast]

LADDERS OF LEARNING: FIGHTING FADE-OUT BY ADVANCING PK-3 ALIGNMENT

A new issue brief by Kristie Kauerz, published by the New America Foundation Education Policy Program, argues that alignment of standards, curriculum and assessment from Prekindergarten through Third Grade can reduce fade-out and improve academic achievement. The brief discusses three types of curriculum alignment: horizontal, vertical and temporal. For PK-3 initiatives to expand, Kauerz believes the federal government must support states’ and local school districts’ efforts. She recommends that the federal government convene a National PK-3 Commission to establish common strategies and goals for federal PK and primary education programs. For alignment at the state level, she calls for federal government support of state PK-16 Councils to create the infrastructure needed to encourage school districts to implement PK-3. For alignment at the local level, she calls for the dedication of new Title I funds to support PK-3 efforts.

http://www.fcd-us.org/LaddersLearning.html