This Community Hub is rooted in research and evidence-based practices and is designed to tackle key questions encountered by those developing and implementing comprehensive B-3 strategies within their schools, districts, or communities.

It is organized into eight key categories, or "buckets," which are based on the work of the National P-3 Center at University of Colorado Denver. The Community Hub necessitates alignment both within and between Birth-5 years old (ECE) and PreK-12th grade, with each category including strategies recognized as crucial for effective and comprehensive B-3 approaches.

The Birth-3rd Grade Continuum is crucial because the years from birth through age eight are the most critical period for development, establishing the foundation for all future success.

A focus on the B-3 continuum is vital for:

• Sustaining Gains and Closing Gaps: By aligning experiences, the approach ensures that early learning gains are maintained and built upon in elementary school, which is essential for closing persistent achievement gaps.

• Creating a Coherent Pathway: It links the traditionally separate early care and education (ECE) and K-12 systems, ensuring a consistent and progressive learning experience for children from infancy through the primary grades.

The Birth-3rd Grade Community Hub is to be used as a tool and referenced over an extended period of time. The goal is to achieve a comprehensive B-3 approach which aligns children's learning experiences prior to Kindergarten with their experiences in primary grades K-3. This continuous alignment is key to maximizing every child's potential.

This resource is intended for those committed to B-3 strategies:

• • State Policy Makers

  • School District

  • School Administrators

  • ECE Program Directors

  • Community Members

  • Teachers

  • Families