ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) – The Rapides Early Childhood Network (RECN) is celebrating a significant achievement as its overall score for the 2023-2024 school year rose by 11 points, reaching a score of 5.94. This marks the network’s position as having the fifth-highest score in Louisiana. To achieve an ‘excellent’ rating, early learning centers are required to score at least six points out of seven.
Out of 67 early learning sites in Rapides Parish, 33 earned an ‘excellent’ performance rating, up from 27 centers in the previous year. Among these, nine school sites, four Head Start centers, and 20 other early learning centers earned top marks.
Cindy Rushing, Director of Head Start and Early Childhood for the Rapides Parish School District, attributes the success to teamwork and continuous improvement. “The more we know, the better we can work with children and their families. It’s a team effort to keep improving, as even small changes can lead to better outcomes for children,” Rushing said.
The success is partly supported by the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund, which matches dollar-for-dollar investments in quality early education programs. RECN partners with organizations such as the Rapides Foundation, the Rotary Club of Alexandria, and the Central Louisiana Community Foundation to advance its mission.
Joe Rosier, President and CEO of the Rapides Foundation, noted the community’s strong response to early childhood education funding. “After our one-year grant, we received such a positive reaction from the community that we committed to a three-year investment. We hope to give at least 500 children access to high-quality early education,” Rosier said.
Despite the successes, challenges remain. The Rapides Parish School Board reports that 90% of at-risk four-year-olds are enrolled in quality early learning programs. However, funding limitations mean that fewer than 20-25% of children from birth to age three have access to such programs.
Rosier emphasized the importance of early education. “The brain develops rapidly in the early years, and without stimulation and education, children can fall behind. Getting more children into quality early childhood education will help prepare them for school,” he explained.
Rushing also highlighted the critical need for access to early care for at-risk children. “Many children and families don’t have access to quality early education, which is a huge concern for us,” she said.
To address these gaps, the Rapides Foundation has invested $5.3 million over three years to provide up to 300 children under age three with access to high-quality early education during the current school year, despite challenges in raising local funds in rural districts.
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