Introduction: The Build Initiative

1
Introduction The Build Initiatives Commitment
to Diversity and Equity
Early Learning Systems in a Multi-Ethnic Society
Charles Bruner October 2008
2
The Commitment of the Build Initiative Learning
Community to Addressing Issues of Diversity and
Equity

• October 2007 Summit Planning on Equity and
  Diversity at the Annie E. Casey foundation
• Commitment to Develop Resources for Field on Key
  Diversity and Equity Issues in Early Childhood
• Early Learning Standards
• Quality Rating Improvement Systems
• Workforce Diversity Development
• Sharing Power in Planning and Decision-Making
• Establishment of Diversity and Equity Working
  Group
• Initiation of Policy Brief Series
• Commitment to Prominent Incorporation into
  Meetings and Events (Smart Start Pre-conference,
  QRIS Development System, Annual Meeting)

3
Equity and Diversity Working Group
Charles Bruner Miriam Calderón Hedy Chang Carol
Day Melinda Green Lorrie Grevstad Susan
Hibbard Aisha Ray Barbara Reisman
4
Current Reports
Introduction to the Policy Brief Series
Addressing Five Gaps in Early Childhood Systems
Building Strategies Developing Early Learning
Standards in a Multi-Ethnic Society
5
The Demographic Necessity of Constructing an
Early Childhood Systems that Responds to the
Needs of Children from Diverse Backgrounds
Percent of Population of Color and/or Hispanic by
Age
44.9
40.8
32.4
Hispanic population
18.9
17.9
Source United States Census Bureau, 2005
American Community Survey (age) Current
Populations Services, Bureau of Labor Statistics,
2006 (teachers)
6
The Programmatic Necessity of Constructing an
Early Childhood System that Responds to the Needs
of Children from Diverse Backgrounds

• Closing the readiness gap
• Closing the access and participation gap
• Closing the cultural responsiveness and
  reciprocity gap
• Closing the workforce diversity gap
• Closing the planning and decision-making gap

7
The Moral Necessity of Constructing Early
Childhood Systems that Respond to the Needs of
Children from Diverse Backgrounds

• Large and small motor skills development
• Shapes, numbers, colors
• Sounds and letters
• Personal hygiene

• How I am similar to and different from others
• How I should treat those differences
• How I fit into the world
• What behavior is valued in my home, and what
  behavior is expected in my classroom and in the
  community

8
An International Perspective of What Children
Need to Learn and Be Able to Do

• Have empathy
• Participate in a society that ensures all voices
  are heard and decisions are made through a
  deliberative process that is based upon
  democratic values

9
Contact Information
218 6th Avenue, Suite 1021 Des Moines, IA
0309-4006 515-280-9027 phone [phone] fax
Charles Bruner cbruner_at_cfpciowa.org Executive
Director Research Evaluation
Director Child Family Policy Center Build
Initiative www.cfpciowa.org www.buildinitiat
ive.org Network Director State
Early Childhood Policy Technical
Assistance Network www.finebynine.org