I3 Projects Demonstrate Innovation Success

Evaluation and Scaling Require Continued and Diverse Funding

As I participate in an introduction to this fabulous new communication tool, along with my colleagues in the i3 universe sitting in a very cool space in San Francisco, I am in awe of the large pool of evidence and success represented in this room. I am truly inspired by the combined impact on education, children, and their parents that is represented by the innovators in this room.

The initial results are in, but deeper evaluation is needed, as is continued delivery of the innovative interventions that were made possible by federal and philanthropic investments in i3. In speaking with my colleagues in this room, it is clear that I am not alone in my sense that new and continued investments are needed to more deeply prove “what works,” and to scale up these proven strategies.

Parents as Teachers, an evidence based model for engaging parents in the successful early learning, health and development of young children (prenatal to age 5) was successfully implemented and evaluated in 20+ schools in American Indian communities across the U.S. Using a proven model, with cultural competencies woven throughout, we have demonstrated positive results with wonderful but marginalized families that represent the honest heritage of America.

While the early indicators show that children from participating families are more prepared to be healthy and successful in school, we need to build upon the evidence by following the children into the school system. Where do they stand in terms of kindergarten readiness on that first day in school? Is there a decreased need for special education? Are they healthy and able to participate socially with teachers and peers? How will they perform on the all-important 3rd and 6th grade reading tests? And since proven to work, can we scale-up services to positively impact more young children, both on reservations and in our urban core cities?

This work takes resources, money that nonprofits like Parents as Teachers and school districts in underserved areas just don’t have in the bank. Governments and philanthropy are invited to continue the innovative work that was begun with i3. We have proven “what works,” now we need continued investments to evaluate and scale.

Investing in innovation doesn’t stop when the grant period ends. Let’s make the most of the investments already made by going a few steps further.