EXCERPT FROM: Business Wire
By BUSINESS WIRE
MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With studies consistently proving the effectiveness of quality Pre-K education on the future of students, global education leader Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) continues to partner with large urban school districts to help mold students at one of the most important times in their development.
One district leading the way is Memphis City Schools (MCS). MCS, with the support of HMH, held their second annual Pre-K Express Event at the Cook Convention Center on Saturday, July 24th. Based on a growing amount of research, Pre-K Express is part of an initiative by Memphis City Schools that attempts to reduce the number of inadequately prepared children entering kindergarten.
The Pre-K Express Event was offered to parents and children at no cost. Its goal is to educate families on school readiness and parent’s roles and responsibilities. This year the event attracted nearly 5,000 parents and students, an increase from last year’s 2,000 participants.
“Research continues to show us that quality Pre-K education is vitally important in directing the future of a student,” said Dr. Carolyn Harvey, Director of Early Childhood for Memphis City Schools. “MCS and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt are taking an important step in ensuring that students have access to the best education at the time when their minds develop the most.”
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt set up two Pre-K classrooms featuring Houghton Mifflin Pre-K Curriculum Kits, Everyday Counts Calendar Math and even gave-away over 10,000 books to families in attendance. The classrooms used HMH’s Bailey’s Book House, an interactive learning tool which is currently in use in all Pre-K classrooms within the Memphis City Schools system.
“For generations, educators have been teaming up with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to help transform Pre-K students into lifelong learners,” said Josef Blumenfeld, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for HMH. “Too often, the mistake is made of trying to impact a student’s learning behavior at the age of 5 or 6, which can be too late. With HMH’s visionary Pre-K programs, students receive a tremendous headstart on their primary education with a solid foundation for how to learn.”