The Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition (TECEC) is a unique statewide collaboration of more than 230 entities dedicated to improving the early childhood education system for children ages birth to five in Texas. TECEC was created in 2003 out of overwhelming statewide support to have ONE entity dedicated to building a system of quality early care and education that prepares children for success in education and life. TECEC focuses its efforts in four specific arenas including research, public policy development, public awareness, and community organizing.

The Texas Plan, a ten-year public policy vision developed in partnership with the Texas Program for Society and Health at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, guides TECEC’s efforts. The Texas Plan was developed over the course of two years and informed by literally hundreds of Texans.

Just a few of TECEC’s successes over the past four years include the passage of legislation during the 78th and 79th Texas Legislative Sessions; organizing and engaging 37 Texas communities in one statewide and two national satellite broadcasts with Pre-K Now; launching a statewide public awareness campaign in 2006 with more than half a million hits to the TECEC website in less than a year; and commissioning the faculty at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of investing in high quality pre-k for the state of Texas.

As TECEC prepares for the 80th Legislative Session beginning in January 2007, there are a number of ways doctors and other professionals can get involved in the pre-k movement in Texas.  On January 18, 2007, TECEC is organizing a Pre-k Day at the Texas Capitol. There will be a model pre-k classroom set up in the Ground Floor Capitol Rotunda, a press conference at 10:30am, legislative visits, and a “Picture the Future” art exhibit comprised of artwork from children across the state set up in the South Central Gallery. Speaking at the press conference, visiting with policymakers, and signing an opinion-editorial for statewide distribution are just a few ways that doctors and other professionals could get involved. In addition, there are a number of other ways doctors can get involved between now and the end of the legislative session.

For more information please visit the TECEC Web site at www.tecec.org or contact Bethany Colavincenzo at bcola@docsfortots.org.