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 Photo by RLL |
| Dear Colleagues, This time of year finds us following the reauthorization of ESEA and the Even Start provisions within it. Currently, Even Start is contained in both the House bill (H.R. 1) and the Senate bill (S1). Both bills authorize Even Start at its current level of funding and remain in Part B of the Title 1 authorization. I urge all of you to take the time to contact your representatives in the House and Senate. Invite them to your site, send them the results of your programs and request support for Even Start in S1 and H.R.1. This year our Even Start Academies Literacy Begins at Birth in Baltimore and Las Vegas were very successful. Approximately 200 participants from programs across the country attended the day and a half sessions. Our speakers provided the latest in research, information and strategies regarding the birth to 3 population. NESA Academies are part of our on-going effort to provide professional development opportunities to the field. Dates and locations for Academies 2002 will be announced at our National Conference. The 7th annual National Even Start Association conference will be held in San Diego, California, October 20th-24th 2001. The conference is an excellent opportunity for program personnel to hear from presenters regarding issues pertaining to Even Start. We are pleased to announce confirmed speakers including Congressman William Goodling, the author of Even Start legislation and Joseph Johnson, Director of Title I, U.S. Department of Education. In addition, presenters on the subjects of early childhood, ESL, Adult education, evaluations and more, will be with us. For the second straight year we will be teaming with the U.S. Department of Education and the National Center for Family Literacy for our New Grantee Orientation Pre-conference session. This session, put together by veteran Even Start Directors and others in the field will provide brand-new and second-year grantees a jumpstart to program implementation, quality control and program retention. In addition, we are proud to announce another new pre-conference session, our very first Even Start Evaluators Institute designed by RMC Research Corporation, long recognized for expertise in the field of Even Start evaluations. We are also working with the U.S. Department of Education on a conference strand presenting scientific-based research strategies for use in our programs. As many of you know, the use of strategies based on scientific research is mandated in Federal law. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the National Even Start Association I look forward to seeing you in San Diego. Keep up the great work you are doing! Scott Himelstein Chairman National Even Start Association |
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