Early Learning & Literacy
By 2028, Marin’s Early Childhood Education will prepare all children 0-5yrs, regardless of race, ethnicity, zip code or financial circumstance to enter school ready to succeed as measured by indicators such as the DRDP, Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) and health and income data.
This Initiative is focused on the following strategies:
Common Goals for Early Childhood Success:
Identify a common vision, goal and metrics that will be adopted and implemented by at least 5 Districts.
High-impact, Community-Driven Strategic Shifts:
Increase and improve practices and structures that support the design and implementation of community-driven, cross-sector, high-impact strategies in West Marin and Marin City.
Population Focus
Children 0-5 years old, not yet attending kindergarten in the Shoreline or Sausalito-Marin City School District attendance areas
About the Equity Gap
Many factors (barriers and opportunities) impact whether or not a student is ready to succeed in Kindergarten. Some of the primary factors identified by the team so far include:
- Rural locations like West Marin lack early childhood education (ECE) infrastructure.
- Readiness starts with infants and toddlers. These early years are greatly influenced by family engagement.
- Early childhood education workers, from homecare to preschool, are often some of the lowest paid educators.
- Gaps are created by both access to preschool (i.e. available space, cost) and the quality of all early learning environments (daycare, homecare, playgroups, etc.)
- Differences in access to health and wellness identification and intervention services (e.g. vision, hearing, etc.) can setback learning from the start.
Related Resources & Blog Stories
Working Together: Sausalito Marin City School District Secures $3.4M for Early Childcare
“This is the first time in over a decade that there will be enough childcare slots for the students that need them in our community,” – Superintendent Dr. Itoco Garcia
Igniting Impact in West Marin
This Learning Brief highlights the Partnership’s regional implementation of its unique collaborative approach to closing educational equity gaps for students and families in West Marin. This case study outlines some promising indicators of success that may spark similar action in other regions.
Public Preschool Becomes a Reality in West Marin
Shoreline Unified School District approves plan to offer preschool classes on its elementary campuses.
Fact Page: West Marin Kindergarten Readiness Team
Using the Kindergarten Student Entrance Profile (KSEP) to inform collaborative action.
