April 2, 2007

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced his School Readiness Action Planning Team (APT) March 23. Building on the excellent progress the Boston Public Schools are making in closing the achievement gap among school-age students, this uniquely diverse taskforce is charged with developing specific strategies to prevent the achievement gap among the next generation of students by promoting school readiness and ensuring the healthy development of the city’s youngest residents.

APT is part of Boston’s Birth to Five School Readiness Initiative, which Menino launched in December 2006 in partnership with United Way of Massachusetts Bay and dozens of community organizations. The initiative responds to recent scientific research documenting the tremendous impact on a child’s brain and immune system of their experiences from birth through age five. It also responds to economic analysis that demonstrates the cost savings of prevention and intervention in the early years, particularly for low-income families.

 “With this Action Planning Team, I have brought together some of the best minds in the city,” Menino said. “We know that to ensure academic success, kids need to be on a level playing field when they first enter school. This team was chosen to represent the different sectors of the city because I seek changes at all levels that will safeguard our children’s future.”

 Menino’s approach to preventing the achievement gap is three-pronged: 1) continuously gather and analyze data about the current situation of young children in the city and their families; 2) expand current programming to address children’s needs for early learning opportunities and to reinforce parents’ role as their child’s first teacher; and 3) develop a strategic plan, through APT, to ensure the right interventions and a permanent citywide commitment to school readiness.

 The taskforce will build on initial analysis and recommendations provided by a 12-person team of top national early childhood researchers and practitioners convened by the mayor in Fall 2006. The 60 members of the taskforce hail from diverse backgrounds and include direct service providers, early childhood educators, senior government officials and corporate leaders.

Co-chaired by Wheelock College President Jackie Jenkins'scott and Children’s Hospital COO Sandra Fenwick, the taskforce will create a plan informed by a socio-economically diverse group of 35 Boston parents who have agreed to meet six times during the year to provide feedback.

 While APT conducts its work, expanded resources will continue to be developed for families, including the new “Smart from the Start” initiative Menino announced in January, to increase the school readiness of the lowest-income Boston children through services at local housing developments and community centers. One new resource that will be provided to parents starting next month is an “I’m Ready!” DVD in multiple languages. This ten-minute video from Countdown to Kindergarten illustrates ways parents can support their children’s school readiness at home and in the community.

 For more information on Menino’s School Readiness Action Planning Team contact the mayor’s office at 617-635-4461.