Chapter 7: Action for Early Learning: A Research-Practice, Place-Based Partnership

This chapter outlines the work of an embryonic partnership, the West Philadelphia Action for Early Learning Initiative (AFEL), a research-to-practice, community-based collaboration led by Drexel University together with social service and education agencies and community stakeholders that uses a place-based strategy to support early learning. This collaboration works to create an education support system for children and families in the 19104 zip code, specifically in the West Philadelphia Promise Zone, a federal designation indicating a high-need, high-poverty area.

AFEL strives to translate research on early childhood education into rich early learning experiences for children in West Philadelphia, which, in turn, are associated with positive individual and community outcomes (Heckman, Moon, Pinto, Savelyev, & Yavitz, 2010). Specifically, AFEL aims to increase access to high-quality educational opportunities by improving the quality of local childcare providers and strengthening transitions from Head Start/prekindergarten to local kindergartens. AFEL supports prekindergarten to third grade instruction with a strong emphasis on literacy so that children are better prepared for kindergarten and reading on grade level by the end of third grade. At the same time, the initiative works to build family and community awareness around the importance of quality early care and education as well as increasing families’ engagement and knowledge of early learning and developmental milestones. Finally, to promote long-term sustainability and coordination, AFEL utilizes a systems approach, leveraging contacts with citywide organizations and agencies to support neighborhood systems and capacity building.