Birth-to-College Partnership with The Ounce of Prevention Fund

A Birth-to-College Model of Education

In 2009, the University of Chicago Urban Education Institute (UEI) and The Ounce of Prevention Fund (the Ounce) embarked on an effort to form a partnership whose vision is to build a model of public education for children and their families that begins at birth and creates success in school, college, and life.

The goal is to collaboratively and continuously align and create instructional practices, and academic and social supports, to demonstrate a new model of public education that seamlessly and successfully prepares children for college, beginning at birth.

Through the independent, yet coordinated, admissions policies of Educare and the University of Chicago Charter School, families have the opportunity for their children to be admitted simultaneously to Educare's program for 3-year-olds and in advance, to kindergarten at the University of Chicago Charter School three years later. The hope is to create a smooth transition from early education programs to K-12, while establishing a consistent, aligned birth-to-college education experience.

Case Study One

• Working Together to Build a Birth-to-College Approach to Education (PDF)
• Feature Story, Teaching Notes, Supplemental Materials (January 3, 2011)

Case Study Two

• Building a Birth-to-College Model: Professional Learning Communities (PDF)
• Press Release (December 10, 2012)