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  When we talk about the importance of investing in early education, one common question we hear is this: do the benefits really continue into 3rd grade, 8th grade and beyond? We’ve mentioned the success in Maryland before (learn more about that here).  And now, there’s a new state boasting improved long-term academic outcomes as […]

  Tonight’s a big night for children everywhere: Halloween!  But believe it or not before they dig into all their yummy treats, there are some fun, easy ways to use candy to learn (you just might want to give them at least one piece before you try them!): Count all the pieces of candy they […]

Are you cheering for the Cards or a diehard Red Sox fan? Either way you can help a child develop strong literacy and math skills with a little World Series fun & games… Read the alphabet book (there is a great book entitled H is for Home Run) Watch the World Series together & find […]

As your child’s first and most important teacher, one of the most important things you can do for your child is to read to them.  Here at E3, we LOVE reading books with our kids.  One of favorite authors?  Sandra Boynton, whose books are both witty and fun. Below are a few of our favorites: […]

  Old Dominion University presents The Darden Lecture in Education featuring David Kirp, author of “Kids First,” “Improbable Scholars” and “The Sandbox Investment.” Kirp is an advocate for innovative solutions for early education and K-12. We’ll see you there on 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 23rd at ODU University Theater, 4600 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA. Get […]

  Earlier this month, James Koch, Old Dominion University’s board of visitors professor of economics and president emeritus, presented his annual “State of the Region” report to Hampton Roads business, civic and philanthropic leaders. One key takeaway from the report?  Rather than investing millions in arenas, conference centers and performance venues with “questionable” economic impacts, […]

Yesterday, on the blog, we talked about “Marshmallows, Grit & The Future Workforce” and used the well-known “marshmallow experiment” to show that even at four-years-old, cognitive skills are not enough.  Want to see the “marshmallow experiment” in action?  Watch the video below: As Dr. James Heckman, Nobel Laureate in Economics explains, “Soft skills matter.  They […]

Many of you may be familiar with what’s widely known as the “marshmallow experiment.”  In the late 60s, Stanford University Researchers set out to test the willpower of 4-year-olds by leaving a marshmallow on a table for a child and instructing them that if they wait until the teacher returns, they would get 2 marshmallows, […]

This week, E3’s Chair, Gary McCollum, and the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation’s Chair, Ben Davenport, sent out a join letter to early education stakeholders in Virgina with with an update on Virginia’s Kindergarten Readiness Project.  To read the full letter, click the image below:   For more information on Virginia’s Kindergarten Readiness Project, click here.

Back in January, we told you about a statewide kindergarten assessment pilot that Governor McDonnell included as part of his K-12 agenda.  A lot of movement has happened since then, and we thought it was time for an update.  Read on to learn all about it: As part of Governor McDonnell’s K-12 reform agenda, E3 […]

E3’s Chairman, Gary McCollum, had an Op-Ed featured in today’s Virginian-Pilot on the importance of early education and Old Dominion University’s new Virginia Early Childhood Policy Center.  Read an excerpt below:   …While our traditional views and approaches might have been successful in the past, a startling truth has emerged: Our students and our future […]

A new report from Fight Crime: Invest in Kids features Sheriffs, Chiefs and Prosecutors urging America to Cut Crime by investing in high-quality early education.  As Sheriff Leroy Baca states, “Pay for quality early education and care now, or pay far more for the costs of crime in the decades to come.” Did you know […]

  In case you missed it, check out the latest Inside Business article regarding Monday night’s big announcement about The E3 School.  Here’s a short excerpt: The center, to be called The E3 School LLC, will sit near the YMCA on Granby Street and will use up to $10 million in philanthropic support. By demonstrating […]

As we alluded to yesterday, E3 Board Chair, Gary McCollum, was on-hand last night at Smart Beginnings South Hampton Roads’ “Mix & Mingle” event with not one, but TWO exciting announcements! First, he announced the the creation of the first-in-the-state Early Childhood Policy Center at Old Dominion University.  The Center will be the hub in […]

Last Friday, Gary McCollum and Lisa Howard were featured on Virginia Conversations talking with May-Lily Lee about early education, dropout rates, and our future workforce. Want to listen?  Click here to check it out!