Accomplishment Highlights

2009

• Secured more than $69 Million for child care, Head Start, and public school pre-k.
• Improved early education policies, including increased child care training hours, Head Start technology discounts, pre-k eligibility notification, and more.
• Hosted the Texas Leadership Summit on Early Education to engage business leaders throughout Texas in the importance of investing early in the lives of children.
• TECEC members participated at unprecendented level in advocacy activities: nearly 1000 advocates attended Pre-k Day at the Capitol, and TECEC members sent over 20,000 emails in support of high-quality early care and education to Texas and Federal representatives.
• Published a "Community-Based School Readiness Integration Partnerships: Promoting Sustainable Collaborations, " a step-by-step guide to successful and sustainable collaborations in early care and education.

2008

• Instrumental in the passage of House interim study charges related to early care and education.
• Launched “Year of the Parent” statewide public awareness campaign.
• Conducted three major Texas-specific studies, accompanied by detailed written reports.
• Launched monthly “Through the Eyes” public awareness campaign.
• Launched “Talk of Texas” series, capturing in-depth pictures of early education in various Texas communities.
• Added a full-time Communications Coordinator to join the TECEC team.

2007

• Added a full time Director of Research & Public Policy to join the TECEC team
• Implemented cutting edge e-communications software
• Organized a “Pre-k Day at the Texas Capitol,” which brought hundreds of stakeholders to Austin
• Played a key role during the 80th Legislative Session in tracking 50 early education bills, securing funding to expand the TEEM model, to support reimbursement rates paid to child care providers who offer quality services, and professional development opportunities for individuals working with young children, as well as, expanding pre-k eligibility to foster care children

2006

• Partnered with the Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University to conduct a cost benefit analysis of investing in high quality pre-k in Texas
• Coordinated the Pre-k Now National Satellite Broadcast in 37 Texas communities in which Texas was one of three states highlighted for its work. Texas represented at least 30% of the participation nationally
• Hosted a Texas Satellite Broadcast to launch the TECEC legislative agenda
• Launched a “monthly theme” statewide public awareness campaign

2005

• Played a key role in the passage of three major bills during the 79th Legislature including Senate Bill 23 to expand the TEEM model, House Bill 2808 to develop a report of early education funding, and House Bill 2048 to create an online tool to help families access early education programs
• Hosted statewide strategic planning meeting to identify priorities for the 80th Legisaltive Session
• Coordinated the Pre-k Now National Satellite Conference in 20 Texas communities
• Disseminated Edition 2 of The Texas Plan

2004

• Co-organized with the Baker Institute for Public Policy a statewide summit at Rice University to introduce Edition 1 of The Texas Plan and vet policy proposals with leaders in the field at the national, state, and local levels
• Conducted community forum tour of 6 Texas cities reaching more than 230 individuals to discuss the policy recommendations included in The Texas Plan
• Provided approximately 40 presentations in communities at the national, state, and local levels

2003

• Played a key role in the passage of two major bills during the 78th Legislature, including Senate Bill 76, which created the nationally recognized Texas Early Education Model (TEEM).
• Formed partnership with the Texas Program for Society and Health at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University in order to develop a ten-year public policy agenda, The Texas Plan