Forum: Early Childhood Education for At-risk Children

Discussions regarding early childhood education in Michigan are heard far outside of the classroom these days. Legislative deliberations focus on access to early education for the most vulnerable, on funding early education that specifically supports at-risk families, and on raising the bar on quality education as new research directs training for those working with Michigan’s youngest citizens. The stakes are high as decades of research find that investment in childhood development improves young people’s life outcomes and family well-being while saving tax dollars in the long run.

The Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) at Michigan State University will host this discussion of research-based policy options to consider for early childhood education that are focused on improving the odds for success among at-risk children. The event is the first in a fall series of luncheon policy forums. Two of the three panelists are faculty members in the MSU College of Education:

• Bethany Wilinski, Assistant Professor, Department of Teacher Education
  
• Amy Parks, Associate Professor, Teacher Education
• Claire Vallotton, Associate Professor, Human Development & Family Studies

A light lunch is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required and seating is limited. Register online.

The forum is co-sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.