The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education unanimously voted on Jan. 16 to launch a comprehensive effort to promote literacy among its youngest learners.

Board member Ref Rodriguez authored the “Creating a Birth to Eight Roadmap for Success in Los Angeles” resolution and board members Richard Vladovic, Scott Schmerelson, and Kelly Gonez co-sponsored the measure. The resolution calls on the superintendent and early childhood education leaders to organize a steering committee, including city, county, business, community and family partners to create and implement a detailed plan for literacy and learning success among children from birth to age 8.

“The creation of the Birth to Eight Roadmap is a bold step forward for L.A. Unified,” Rodriguez said. “It will move us closer to providing all of our children the early-literacy development they need to succeed when they walk into their first classroom, when they sit down to read their first book, and when they write their first essay. Participation in high-quality early childhood education programs enhances school readiness and minimizes the need for costlier interventions later in life. That’s why it is so important that our schools, community organizations, and the city work together to create a roadmap focused on providing excellent educational opportunities for kids as well as supports for parents to help them guide their children’s development.”

“We have seen time and again the clear evidence that shows the early childhood years are critical to nurturing academic success. Once a child falls behind, it is a constant struggle not only to keep pace with their peers but to continue to move forward academically,” Vladovic added. “I support all efforts that will work to provide our youngest learners with every chance they need to succeed in school and in life.”

Community leaders who have served on LAUSD’s Committee on Early Education echoed praise for the board’s call to promote success in early learning.

“This resolution provides a timely opportunity to optimize children’s developmental and academic paths by supporting the alignment of the philosophies, goals and objectives of early learning and the K-12 system,” said Karla Pleitéz Howell, director of educational equity at Advancement Project California. “It will help to promote the successful transition of students into elementary school and build a strong educational foundation for long term success in school and beyond.”

The resolution is modeled after similar efforts in cities around the United States – including Boston, Denver and Detroit – that have shown promising results. The identification of age 8 as a benchmark was driven by efforts to ensure 100 percent proficiency in literacy by the third grade, a strong predictor of later academic success. Most students enter third grade around age 8.

For information, visit lausd.net.