Addressing Equity in Early Learning - The Time is Now
Tamilah Richardson, Ed.D, Associate Director of Early Childhood Learning, VDOE
Make Equity Visible
Just over a year ago, Leah Walker, the Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE) Director of Equity and Community Engagement, shared a clear message about why equity must begin with early learning. And that we are still able to predict student outcomes based on race, gender, zip code, ability, socio-economic status or languages spoken at home further underscores the urgent need to address equity at the foundational level. In fact, 45% of kindergarteners started school this fall without the key literacy, math, and social skills needed to be successful, an increase from past years. Considering this and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on school readiness outcomes for children— particularly those who have been historically underserved— the time to make equity more visible by virtue of ensuring that the learning and development of every child is being effectively supported is now.
The VDOE Offices of Early Childhood and Equity and Community Engagement are partnering with UVA-CASTL to conduct an equity audit of VKRP and resources used in early childhood education settings. Recognizing that our efforts will need to be defined by a comprehensive, iterative, intentional and fully inclusive process, the VDOE is thoughtfully developing an action plan to ensure these parameters are honored. We will seek expert guidance, and most importantly, authentically engage all vested stakeholders, especially those who are most profoundly impacted by early childhood education inequities. More information on how you can be involved in this work is forthcoming.
The Time is Now
Waiting for the best laid plans to take form,
however, is not an option. Our children, families, and teachers are depending on us to take prompt action, and it is important for us all to reflect now on the ways we can individually and collectively help dismantle systemic racism and education inequity. The VDOE is doing so and is also supporting UVA-CASTL’s proactive efforts to advance equity strategies internally. Faculty and researchers at the university are conducting a self-audit of VKRP and AEII (Advancing Effective Interactions and Instruction) resources. They have developed a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) tool to evaluate these resources and findings are informing immediate improvements. Read the research brief they have published to learn more about this initial work.
Ensuring that Virginia’s early educators and families have access to resources and supports that are culturally responsive; display equal representation of all children, teachers and families; include accurate portrayals of historically marginalized groups, and explicitly focus on emphasizing the assets of all children regardless of background or zipcode, is a critical first step towards achieving education equity. This work reinforces the VDOE’s commitment to making certain all children have what they need- socially, emotionally and academically- to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. We look forward to partnering with you in what we believe is a shared responsibility; together we can help guarantee that equitable early learning and development opportunities and outcomes are realized for every child within every early childhood setting across the Commonwealth.
For more information on Virginia’s Equity Progress follow #EdEquityVA or visit: http://www.virginiaisforlearners.virginia.gov/edequityva/.
More questions? VKRP provides support via the online chat feature when you are in the system, via email vkrp@virginia.edu, and via toll free 866-301-8278 ext. 1
