Raising the Profile of Pre-K: National Strategy Session Oct. 17

Three local organizations will host the viewing of ?Raising the Profile of Pre-K: A National Strategy Session,? a nationwide satellite broadcast on Wednesday, Oct. 17. The viewing will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at KETC-TV, 3655 Olive St. KETC is hosting the viewing along with the City of St. Louis Mayor?s Office and the St. Louis Metropolitan Children?s Agenda initiative of Vision for Children at Risk.

The broadcast will highlight strategies to make pre-k a priority and winning issue in local communities, statewide and at the federal level. It is sponsored by Pre-K Now, a national public education and advocacy organization.

Moderated by Emmy award-winning journalist Leon Harris, the broadcast will feature pre-k champions in all levels of government, including Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, U.S. senators Hillary Clinton and Bob Casey, U.S. representatives Carolyn Maloney and Mazie Hirono, Kentucky state Rep. Harry Moberly, and Speaker of the New York City Council Christine Quinn. Advocates around the country will gather at local sites to learn successful strategies for raising the profile of pre-k on the local, state, and federal levels.

?Clearly, policymakers are getting the message that high-quality, voluntary pre-k is a vital first step in school reform,? said Libby Doggett, executive director of Pre-K Now. ?The record-breaking interest in this broadcast indicates that local and state advocates are eager to take this national movement even farther next year, and we?re proud to provide the network and tools they need to make next year another banner year for pre-k.?

For more information or to register, call Belinda Boston at Vision for Children at Risk, (314) 534-6015, or click on this registration link.