Ole Miss Alumni Review: Pre-K Support

Studies show long-term investment in quality pre-K education provides improved academic performance and long-term public cost savings. Photo by Robert Jordan.

UM Establishes Graduate Center For Study Of Early Learning

The University of Mississippi School of Education has established a new center to provide research and collaborative leadership to support the growth and development of quality early childhood education throughout the state.
Financed with more than $121,000 in external funding from the Phil Hardin Foundation, UM’s Graduate Center for the Study of Early Learning was recently officially approved by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.
“Our primary purpose is to raise visibility of the importance of early childhood education,” says Cathy Grace (EdD 79), the center’s co-director. “We hope to collaborate with all stakeholders and to share innovative ideas and collectively work toward a better education system for all Mississippi children.”
Above all, the new center is dedicated to providing pre-K stakeholders – including students, teachers, teacher educators, school administrators, policymakers, elected officials, parents and community members – with valuable data and research findings about early childhood education programs in Mississippi. The center will also provide research on methods to overcome challenges in the pre-K field, particularly in high-needs districts.
“We are extremely fortunate to have a pre-K leader as influential and talented as Dr. Grace to lead this new center,” says David Rock, dean of the UM School of Education. “We have the opportunity to make a dramatic impact in the area of early childhood education. We must be willing to invest not only money but our time and effort in pre-K education because we know the critical impact it will have on the future achievement and advancement of our state and nation.”
According to the National Institute for Early Education Research, several studies show quality preschool programs can produce lasting gains in academic achievement, including gains in reading and mathematics. Studies also show an estimated $7 return on every $1 invested in public pre-K education in the form of long-term cost savings.
Mississippi does not offer statewide early childhood education in public schools.
“As a School of Education, our focus is on improving education for all children in Mississippi,” says Susan McClelland (MEd 88, PhD 96), chair of teacher education at UM. “We believe the center will enable our faculty to have a greater impact on providing educational opportunities and current research that extends beyond our students to our state and community leaders.
“Our hope is that early childhood education in Mississippi will be transformed to ensure every child receives a quality pre-K learning experience.”

This story was reprinted with permission from the Ole Miss Alumni Review. The Alumni Review is published quarterly for members of the Ole Miss Alumni Association. Join or renew your membership with the Alumni Association today, and don’t miss a single issue.

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