Students and educators in the Greenwood Leflore Consolidated School District are celebrating 10 years of early childhood education this week.
Dr. Edshundra Gary, the district’s early learning director for pre-kindergarten to second grade, said she wanted to highlight the district’s Head Start program, which is a collaboration with the Delta Health Alliance.
“This is a positive thing we’re trying to do in Leflore County and the Mississippi Delta. We’re trying to get everyone to understand the importance of pre-k and early childhood education in Mississippi,” Gary said.
At each district Head Start, students decorated banners and participated in the installation of metal butterflies representing each pre-kindergarten student. On Tuesday, a celebration was held at the state Capitol, where another permanent art feature was installed to commemorate the achievement.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 18 states require children to attend kindergarten. Mississippi is one of 17 states that require that a full-time kindergarten program be offered, but the state does not mandate attendance. Because of this, Gary said, it is doubly important to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood education.
Mississippi instituted the Early Learning Collaborative Act, which now serves about 25% of the state’s pre-kindergartners, in 2013. In Leflore County, a collaborative was established in the Greenwood Public School District before it consolidated with the Leflore County School District. “Greenwood was the initial recipient of the grant, but our goal is to service all of the students in Leflore County,” Gray explained.
The collaborative now serves Claudine Brown Elementary, Leflore County Elementary and Threadgill Primary schools. Students enrolled in the pre-k programs at these schools are eligible for the health screenings and other benefits provided by Delta Health Alliance.
To receive state funding, the district was required to partner with Delta Health Alliance or another local Head Start program.
Gary said the data from the past years is showing that students who participate in a Head Start program are more equipped to pass the third-grade state reading assessment.
“Our goal is that those students have no hindrance in passing the third grade assessment and eventually be able to have an advantage in the learning process,” Gary said.
Mississippi is only one of five states recognized in 2022 by the National Institute for Early Education Research for meeting all 10 quality standards the institute examines.
- Contact Katherine Parker at 662-581-7239 or kparker@gwcommonwealth.com.
