Mapping the P-3 Continuum - Foundation for Child Development

• National Conference of Mayors• CED – Committee on Economic Development• NBCDI - National Black Child Development Institute• National Chamber of Commerce• CCSSO – Council of Chief State School Officers• Think tanks to re-develop credentialing standards• National Head Start Association• National Association of Elementary School Principals• Consensus organizations to build on, and influence public will to improve theeducational system• Parents• School reformers• Community-based organizations and representatives from communitiesAn analysis of these stakeholders’ needs and constituencies including their competing agendaswill be necessary to forge consensus among these groups.MARKET THE IDEA OF P-3 THROUGH STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS1) Message development – What is the message? Attention should be directed toward languageand rhetoric in the formulation of messages. They should be integrated into education reform,linked to community organizations, and tied into public health issues. P-3 is part of universalpre-k, but also inclusive of, and related to, after-school activities for children. P-3 as systemsrestructuring and not add-on services or intervention services, should be articulated.2) How to market the message? Increasing public understanding of P-3 and combatingresistance to change are integral to message effectiveness. One suggestion of how to market themessage of P-3 is through social integration, similar to the French. The French Ministry ofEducation believes that pre-kindergarten is a critical element toward citizenship in France.3) Who delivers the message? Selection of messengers should take into account credentials andcredibility in relation to key audiences and stakeholders.WORK WITH COLLEAGUE FUNDERS AND POTENTIAL PARTNERSWorking with colleague funders and potential partners will be important to move the P-3 agendaforward. Since P-3 is a large, systematic, structural initiative, the Foundation for ChildDevelopment requires partners. It will be necessary to work with colleague funders to assemblethe resources necessary to fund the initiative. Forming partnerships with key stakeholders isimportant to build the consensus necessary to make P-3 a reality. Both colleague funders andpotential partners will help shape P-3 through their insight and involvement.12