13abc: Education summit focuses on closing the gap when it comes to our littlest learners
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - Early Childhood Education and its impact on our region’s economy is the focus of an upcoming summit in Toledo, and you’re invited. It’s hosted by Rotary Club of Toledo and Chicks for Charity.
The event will feature a panel discussion and an internationally recognized keynote speaker.
The goal is to inspire and empower people to be a part of the solution when it comes to closing the early childhood education gap in our community. We met up with the head of HOPE Toledo on Tuesday at the Dorise-Brown Fitness and Learning Academy.
The Reverend John C. Jones is the president and CEO of HOPE Toledo. It’s a non-profit organization focused on helping ensure high-quality educational experiences from pre-school to post-secondary and trade school.
“It’s about our children, their families and ultimately our community,” Jone said.
The summit later this month will benefit the work of the organization and the focus is early childhood education.
“Over 90% of their brain is developed by the time they are five years old. When a child doesn’t have access to early education, learning and child care, it results in opportunities missed throughout life,” Jones said.
Jones said the numbers clearly tell the story. Four out of five children in Toledo and seven out of ten children in Lucas County start kindergarten not ready to learn. He adds that research shows a community can pay up front or down the road.
“When you provide this for students early on in life, it will show up later on in life with increased earnings and lower rates of contact with the criminal justice system,” Jones said.
Experts say focusing on early childhood education pays dividends on a number of levels.
“Moms and dads cannot go to work unless they have a place to take their child that is safe, affordable and offers space to learn. The other challenge is the cost is significant,” Jones said.
The summit is open to everyone and will feature a panel discussion that includes business leaders, educators and parents.
“We really do need public investment in this work to make it sustainable and scalable. There will be a call to action because we want the community to understand it truly is pay now or pay later in a lot of ways. We want people to know how they can help plant seeds today that benefit kids and families tomorrow,” Jones said.
The summit is March 17 at the Glass City Center in downtown Toledo. Our Kristian Brown is the moderator. The keynote speaker is Marica Mitchell, an internationally-recognized early childhood expert. Registration is open through March 9.
To learn more, click here.
