Fox Valley United Way’s SPARK has worked for almost a decade to help underserved Aurora families with children age birth through five connect to early education and childcare that will prepare their children for success in life.
Research shows that early math learning is a key predictor of school readiness. Additionally, in the recent release of Illinois’ second Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS), Aurora schools showed a ranking as low as 5% in math readiness. In response to this data, SPARK has engaged Erikson Institute’s Early Math Collaborative to provide an in-depth professional development program for early childhood educators and childcare providers throughout Kane County.
This two-year grant will support an in-depth early math professional development program for early childhood professionals throughout Kane County. FVUW will contract with Erikson Institute, which will provide professional development to preschool and kindergarten teachers throughout Kane County schools.