06/09/2016
We were honored to help Muncie's BY5 tell the story of early childhood education at the first ever Indiana Summit, held in June at the Horizon Convention Center. Here is a sampling of our work. Bravo Tim Underhill and Kurt Hostetler. Juli Metzger
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The fate of a child may be set by the time they reach 5 years old. That statistic and getting children kindergarten-ready led the battle cry at the first ever Indiana Summit, hosted Tuesday by Muncie's BY5 at the Horizon Convention Center.
Some of the state's most influential lawmakers and policymakers were among the more than 500 people from 49 counties to hear experts say 90 percent of the brain is developed by age 5, making it essential that communities have accessible, high-quality early childhood intervention opportunities. The brain's ability to make full cognitive connections will largely determine the kind of adult they become.
Legislators from around the state spent the day soaking up information and leaving armed with new data that will help make the case for extended funding for pre-kindergarten initiatives, said Sen. Dennis Kruse, chairman of the Senate Education Committee. "It's too early to know," he said about whether the Indiana General Assembly will support added funding. "But this is the place to start."
State School Superintendent Glenda Ritz stopped by toward the end of the day to plug pre-kindergarten. House Speaker Brian, R, District 88, pledged his personal support to seeking additional funding for the cause.
Sen. Tim Lanane, D-District 25 and Rep. Sue Errington, D-34, said they were encouraged that there appeared to be growing bipartisan support. Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma, R, District 88, closed out the program saying progress won't come easy but encouraged the crowd "don't give up!"
Dr. Judy Cameron, a professor of neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh, told the crowd the parts of the brain used the most, develop better. Parents, day care providers, teachers, and the community in general, all have a role to play. "I'm impressed with what you're doing here," she said. "Encouraging sturdy brain development is a community activity."
BY5 is a growing local movement promoting childhood education at the earliest possible stage, a step that may represent the single greatest link to ensuring a vigorous economic future for any community.
“I admit I was surprised when I learned about all this, too,” said Tom Kinghorn, chairman of the board of directors of BY5. “But we have an opportunity to change the trajectory of a generation,” said Kinghorn, a retired vice president for business affairs and treasurer at Ball State University. "All the research shows the greatest benefit is the community at-large. We will be a better community in 20 years by virtue of the investment today."
Statewide partners, Early Learning Indiana, ReadyNation, Indiana Early Learning Advisory Committee, joined BY5 in the June 2016 conference.
