History of the Tuscaloosa Pre-k Initiative

During his October 3, 2005 inaugural address, Mayor Walt Maddox established the core belief that all academically at-risk four-year old children deserve the opportunity for a highly effective pre-k education.  Within weeks of taking the oath of office, Mayor Maddox and the City Council (Council) established the Pre-K Task Force (Task Force) representing stakeholders from across the community to investigate the feasibility of turning this belief into reality.   The Task Force was co-chaired by Mayor Maddox, Shelley Jones, former Tuscaloosa City School Board Chair, Stephen Black, Director for the Initiative for Ethics and Social Responsibility at the University of Alabama and Earnestine Tucker, current Tuscaloosa City School Board Member.

After months of research, it was determined that too many of Tuscaloosa’s children were academically at-risk and not receiving effective early intervention.  Under the leadership of Dr. Joyce Levey, and the Tuscaloosa City School Board, it was clear that the Tuscaloosa City Schools System (System) had pioneered a very effective pre-k program with limited funding.  By expanding and enhancing the System’s pre-k program, the Task Force determined that Tuscaloosa could have a level playing field for all children.     

Thanks to the Task Force, the expansion and enhancing has already begun. The System has hired Wanda Fisher to coordinate their pre-k programs and the Tuscaloosa Pre-K Initiative.  For SY 2007-2008, the Council will fund five additional pre-k units for SY 2007-2008. The University of Alabama and Stillman College will be training and placing student aides in pre-k classrooms and provide many needed social and health services to at-risk students and their families.  

The Task Force has now evolved into the Tuscaloosa Pre-K Initiative.  This newly formed advisory board is composed of delegates from the City of Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa City Schools, University of Alabama, Stillman College, Congressman Artur Davis’ Office, private citizens and several community agencies and associations which will ensure the long-term goal that all children academically at-risk will have the opportunity for a quality pre-k education.