The best hope for tomorrow rests with the children of today, and local leaders are working for a brighter future by focusing on the most crucial period of a child’s mental development – the first five years.
By adopting the Excel By 5 program, Corinth and Alcorn County are working to improve their efforts in early childhood education. The community of Corinth and Alcorn County was recently designated as an Excel By 5 candidate community, one of 25 in the state. Nine Mississippi communities have thus far received Excel By 5 certification.
“The adoption of the Excel By 5 program shows a commitment of the city and county business, government and civic leaders to better prepare our children from ages zero to five,” said Susan O’Connell, project manager for the Corinth and Alcorn County Excel by 5. “If our kids are better prepared to start school, then our hope is that they will stay in school, graduate and become a more productive workforce.”
The local Excel by 5 accreditation, O’Connell said, will demonstrate to business and individuals who are looking to invest in the area that Corinth and Alcorn County has invested in the children – the future of the community.
“Excel by 5 is a pathway to ensure success for the smallest children in our community, but it takes a village,” said O’Connell.
Launched in 2004, Excel by 5 is a program designed to encourage and assist communities to become actively involved in supporting their young children. It emphasizes the important roles of parents and primary caregivers in educating children during their most formative years.
Originally funded by Chevron and the Phil Hardin Foundation, the project was developed by representatives from the Early Childhood Institute at Mississippi State University, the Barksdale Reading Institute at the University of Mississippi, the Mississippi departments of Education, Health and Human Services, the state legislature, the Mississippi Community College Board, Head Start, the MSU Extension Service, the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service, Mississippi Public Broadcasting and several nonprofit organizations.
This group developed the basis of a standard to define “early childhood” communities. Excel By 5 is essentially a standard certification whereby communities that choose to can be formally recognized for their progress to support young children and their families. It identifies gaps in community resources, promotes community collaboration, volunteerism and economic development.
Organizers expect that children in Excel By 5 communities will be healthier and better prepared for kindergarten and first grade.
“Community leaders representing hospitals, schools, doctors, libraries, parents and a host of others are coming together to focus on supporting parents and children,” said Steven Renfroe, president of the Excel By 5 board of directors. “It’s an amazing thing to see what Excel By 5 certified communities and Excel By 5 candidate communities are doing to help children be healthy, happy and ready for school when they reach kindergarten.”
Communities begin the certification process by forming a local leadership team made up of representatives from key community groups, including schools, churches, businesses, parents, hospitals, early care and education centers and government organizations.
In Corinth and Alcorn County, the effort toward Excel By 5 certification was spearheaded by the Committee for the Future of Alcorn County. Over two years ago the committee formed seven focus areas following a series of public forums. Of the three education-related focus areas, one was centered on early childhood education.
“The committee looked into additional ways to concentrate on early childhood education, and one of the things that surfaced was Excel By 5,” explained Sandy Williams, chairman of the CARE board and member of the Committee for the Future of Alcorn County steering committee.
To help fund the program, the Committee for the Future of Alcorn County received a $30,000 grant, half from CARE and half from the Pierce Foundation.
“Excel By 5 is truly a county-wide community effort,” Williams emphasized. “All segments of the population are attempting to improve our early childhood education.”
Excel By 5 certification requirements are divided into four groups: Community Involvement; Family and Parent Support; Early Care and Education; and Health. The groups vary according to community size and capacity.
The certification process takes about two years to complete, and the certification is awarded for three years. If the community wants to maintain its Excel By 5 certification, it has to reapply in the third year and complete the criteria for recertification.
The president of the Excel By 5 board of directors recently wrote a letter welcoming Corinth and Alcorn County into the programs group of candidate communities.
“It’s with great pride that I recognize Corinth/Alcorn County as the latest addition to Mississippi’s family of Excel By 5 candidate communities. Congratulation!” wrote Renfroe.
For more information about the program – including downloadable community certification requirements and support materials – visit the program’s website at www.excelby5.com.