In This Issue:

• Partners and Voting and Funding: Oh, My!
• Real Stories
• Whole Child Supporter: Senator Edward Kennedy

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Partners and Voting and Funding: Oh, My!

We're excited to report that leading education, health, arts, and civic organizations have committed to furthering the whole child cause. Twenty-one organizations have signed on to support a system of academic achievement and accountability that ensures each child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. Partner resources and information that support the whole child framework are being added to the Resource Clearinghouse. Is your organization interested in becoming a whole child partner? If so, contact wholechild@ascd.org.

Wondering what's happening with whole child legislation recently? This fall, the whole child cause has experienced wins, losses, and continuing battles. In brief:

• NCLB: The debate over the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) will continue into the new year and likely into 2009. View ASCD's reauthorization recommendations and comments on the House discussion draft of NCLB reauthorization.
• S-CHIP: Children must be healthy to achieve at high levels. That's why the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP), which provides health insurance to children who lack coverage, is so important. After a failed attempt at reauthorization to expand access and benefits, Congress is negotiating a new version of the bill.
• Head Start: The reauthorization of Head Start would provide comprehensive educational, social, health, nutritional, and psychological services to poor children and their families. Reauthorization recently passed in the House and Senate and awaits approval by President Bush.

» Find out more in our Resource Clearinghouse to help you make the case for the whole child. Our children deserve it. Our future demands it.

Real Stories

"I am grateful to teach at Bronx Prep, a charter school in the South Bronx whose mission is firmly grounded in a vision to educate and nurture the whole child. At Bronx Prep we strive to create a physically and emotionally healthy and welcoming environment for our students, parents, and staff. As members of the First Amendment Schools project, we challenge ourselves to find effective ways to nurture self-expression and authentic engagement among all stakeholders in our school community. We are lucky to have support from our administration for strong artistic programming. We aim to be reflective and to hold ourselves accountable for the educational experiences we are co-creating with the young people we serve."

—Kate Q., Bronx, NY

» Click here to see the rest of this story and many more.

Expect More. Get More.

“We ... need to do more to respond to the non-academic needs of students, which make such a difference in how well children learn in school. That means support for community programs to meet children's social, emotional, and physical needs.”

—Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA)
Click here to read the rest of Senator Kennedy's remarks and other quotes from policymakers.

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