A $3.8 million grant to the Warner School will establish a national preschool Center of Excellence in the Catholic schools of Rochester. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Early Reading First program, the project is part of a national effort to transform preschools by raising the quality of the programs and giving more support and resources to teachers and parents.

The funding supports a collaborative effort among the Warner School, the Department of Catholic Schools of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, and the Warner Center for Professional Development and Education Reform. Building on Warner’s ScienceStart! initiative (see related story), the project will provide the means for intensive support and professional development in classrooms that serve preschoolers from low-income families at four area Catholic schools in urban Rochester.

“This is an important opportunity to serve the local community and, at the same time, to advance knowledge about preschool education that ultimately may help to ensure the success of at-risk children across all of Rochester and the nation,” says University of Rochester President Thomas H. Jackson.

During the three-year project, the schools will serve as regional and national preschool model sites, demonstrating the power and potential that quality curriculum, professional development, and teacher support hold for educating young children, especially those most at risk for school failure.

“We have an extraordinary opportunity here. Not only will we improve the outcomes for the children directly involved in this effort, but teachers will receive the kind of intense support and education that will transform their practice to affect thousands of children over their careers,” says Lucia French, associate professor in teaching and curriculum and counseling and human development, who will direct the project. “In addition, we will share what we learn and open these classrooms to the larger educational community, such that Rochester can lead the way for quality preschools nationwide.”

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