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Strengthening Early Childhood Education

Issue

“Pre-kindergarten education for disadvantaged children can greatly increase their cognitive abilities, leading to long-term increases in achievement and school success.”

— School Reform Proposals: The Research Evidence

Funding

2% of foundation giving for education in the U.S. targeted early childhood education in 2007

Challenge

How do we ensure all children receive access to quality pre-school education at this key developmental stage?

Strategy

Maximize access to and effectiveness of programs that give young children the best possible start

Case Study

The Opportunity Project (TOP)

Operates two learning centers for low-income children in Wichita, Kansas
Runs the “I Can Problem Solve” program
Knight Foundation has invested $1.7 million since 2003

Results

On average, TOP students:

significantly outperform their peers across most subjects
more often read at grade level
show improved behavior after just one year

Research Sources

Reform Proposals: The Research Evidence
Alex Molnar

The Opportunity Project (TOP)

John S. and James L. Knight Foundationn

Grants to The Opportunity Project Learning Center

Starting Out Right: A Cluster Evaluation of the Early Childhood Grants of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Wichita Community

Grantmakers for Education

Benchmarking 2008: Trends in Education Philanthropy, Grantmakers for Education

Effective Education Grantmaking Resources: Case Studies, Grantmakers for Education