There are not many outside links on the Harlem Children’s Zone website. Many of the articles, newsletters, and videos are embedded within the site. Several links that I followed connected me to additional HCZ websites such as individual schools or projects. For instance, I was able to explore Promise Academy at an outside link at http://www.hczpromiseacademy.org. Promise Academy is partnership between Harlem Children’s Zone and local schools. It is offered from elementary to high school and seeks to provide high-quality, well-rounded education for children in a caring, safe environment. There is a wait list and a lottery for entrance.
I have signed up for an e-newsletter but have not received a single newsletter, other than my confirmation one, since the beginning of this course.
One thing I’ve learned from HCZ about equity and excellence in early care and education is that every neighborhood is unique and therefore the need of each community is different. Therefore, one program may work here but not somewhere else. For early care and education to be equitable and excellent, the community must work together to meet this goal. HCZ offers several policy recommendations as suggestions for improving early care and education that include: identify the exact location – neighborhood – you are targeting, 2) create a pipeline of best practices/services – essentially create a one stop shop for families to find information, 3) build community through partnerships between businesses, schools, families, etc… 4) evaluate – are the programs/practices meeting the expected outcomes? , 5) create an environment that instills passion, accountability, leadership, and cooperation (HCZ, 2010). Equity and excellence in early care and education is going to taken vision, persistence, and commitment for long-term success.
Another important concept for realizing success in early care and education requires securing funds. According to HCZ (2010), a lead program needs to secure funds through grants, government aid, and/or donations. With the current economic situation, I believe this is something that needs to be considered and explored deeply when trying to improve equity and excellence in early care education.
Reference
Harlem Children’s Zone. (2010). HCZ white paper. Retrieved on August 5, 2011 from http://www.hcz.org/images/stories/HCZ%20White%20Paper.pdf
Maggie,
ReplyDeleteI agree that each community requires something different when it comes to education. Education has to be individualized. There is still a lot that needs to be done in the early childhood and education field and we all play a role. The act of gaining funds is extremely difficult. Where do the funds come from? What should they go towards. There is so much in this world that needs fixing and money is generally the key, but our education field is one of the most important. No matter how much money anybody has you are always broke, just on a different level. We might have to just take what we have and make it everything we need it to be.
I agree that each program needs to be customized to the community it serves. This however creates a problem with equity and quality. How do you set or meet standards if each program is different? How do you determine the boundaries of the community you serve? How do you ensure no child is left out? Then add onto these challenges the inequity in funding for programs, it is an overwhelming task. We have to remember all the challengs facing equity and excellence for the families we work with.
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