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About Us
Best Beginnings works to ensure the Ready to Read, Ready to Learn recommendations are implemented. In order for no child to be left behind, no child must start behind.
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Our History
Alaska lags behind most states in addressing early childhood literacy and learning issues. Nearly half of Alaska children enter school unprepared to be successful readers or learners. Alaskans concerned with these trends met in August 2004 and May 2005 to discuss what could be done to improve early childhood literacy and learning. At the May 2005 meeting, Gov. Frank Murkowski embraced the importance of the initiative and supported formation of a grassroots task force. Twenty-seven statewide leaders were assembled to draft a blueprint identifying what Alaskans could and should do to improve school readiness in young children.
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Ready to Read, Ready to Learn Task Force (2005-2006)
A 27-member Ready to Read, Ready to Learn Task Force consisting of Alaska business, civic, philanthropic, education, and government leaders was formed in November 2005. Their report with 11 recommendations was released in September 2006.
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Task Force Members
Nancy Murkowski Task Force Chair
Susan Anderson President & CEO, The CIRI Foundation
Al Bolea President, BP Pipelines Alaska, Inc.
Deborah Bonito President, Sourdough Mercantile, Inc.
Steve Brezenski Regional HR Manager, Carrs Safeway
George Cannelos Federal Co-Chair, Denali Commission
Carol Comeau Superintendent, Anchorage School District
Tom Corkran Controller/CIO, VECO Corporation
Jerry Covey Managing Partner, JSC Consulting, LLC
John Davis Chair, Alaska Association of School Administrators
Sharon Gagnon Ph.D., Board of Directors, Alaska Humanities Forum
Jack Griffin Vice President External Affairs, ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc.
Patty Hamilton Advocate, Early Childhood Literacy
Abbe Hensley Consultant, Child & Family Issues
Sue Hull School Board Member, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Karleen Jackson Commissioner, Alaska Department of Health & Social Services
Edna MacLean President Emeritus, Ilisagvik College
Byron Mallott Trustee, First Alaskans Institute
Barbara Nagengast President, Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals
Cathryn Rasmuson Trustee, Rasmuson Foundation
Marilyn Romano Publisher, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Roger Sampson Commissioner, Alaska Department of Education & Early Development
Dr. Ann Shortt Superintendent, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Paul Stankavich President, General Manager, KAKM/KSKA/APRN
Stephanie Wheeler Executive Director, Alaska Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
David Wight President & CEO, Retired, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
Candace Winkler CEO, Child Care Connection, Inc.
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Report Recommendations
After gathering input from Alaska and national experts in early childhood literacy and learning, the Task Force released its recommendations in September 2006. The "Alaska Ready to Read, Ready to Learn Task Force Report & Recommendations" identifies a role for every member of the community, from parents and family to caregivers, educators, businesses, and government entities.
Their recommendations fell into three areas: In the Home, Out of the Home in Child Care and Early Education Programs, and Looking Ahead. The first two focus on children from birth to age 6 in their environments. The third focuses on long-term sustainability of the investment in Alaska's young children.
In the Home
- Increase the engagement of parents, grandparents, and extended family in their child's learning by providing resources and incentives
- Develop and increase access to quality, culturally engaging reading materials
- Increase proven, family centered literacy programs by partnering with other organizations
Out of the Home in Child Care and Early Education Programs
- Distribute Alaska's Early Learning Guidelines in family friendly formats
- Implement a quality rating system to help parents evaluate child care and early learning programs and to guide program improvement
- Increase the professional development opportunities and qualifications for early childhood educators and provide appropriate compensation
- Develop a statewide system of voluntary and affordable early childhood education with options available for children and families in all communities
Looking Ahead
- Create a commission, council, public-private consortium or other entity to implement Task Force recommendations
- Develop a multi-year work plan for implementing recommendations
- Educate Alaskans about the social imperative of preparing children from birth to age 6 to be ready to read and learn
- Ensure future funding from private, nonprofit, foundation, and government sources
To read a copy of the full report, visit "Alaska Ready to Read, Ready to Learn Task Force Report & Recommendations"
(2.7 MB PDF file).
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