WHAT INSPIRED US
- According to a 2014 Upward Mobility Study out of Harvard and UC Berkeley (2014 Chetty Study, Harvard/UC Berkeley), the city of Charlotte ranks last (50th out of 50) among America’s largest cities; Mecklenburg County ranks 99 out of 100 in NC.
- Access and cost are proven barriers to early childhood education for families in the greater Charlotte community, specifically for children of color and adverse socio-economic backgrounds.
- The NC Voucher Program is subject to variability in its waiting list and can only be qualified for if a family does not exceed 200% of the FPL (Maximum Monthly Gross Income of $4,417); average cost of early childhood education in greater Charlotte area equals $1,200/month per child.
- Well documented data indicates disparities in early Pre-K education, particularly when looking at 3rd grade reading proficiency, are significantly more common amongst boys and girls of color and who grow up in adverse socio-economic situations.
THE IMPACT
We know a child’s earliest years have a profound and lifelong impact on their journey throughout school, their career and life. 90% of “brain architecture” is developed by age 5, during which physical, mental, social, and emotionally development are critical in building one’s foundation for success later in life.
Access to quality early childhood education is a significant determinant of one’s likelihood of repeating grades, entering the criminal justice system, requiring public assistance, lacking 3rd grade reading proficiency and dropping out of school.
Children that have access to early educational opportunities also are more likely to graduate high school, go to college or trade school, earn more throughout their career, and own a home – creating for themselves and their families greater social mobility and stability.
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