| As many of our high school seniors prepare for graduation and the next chapter of their lives, I often reflect on where their journeys began, when they first entered kindergarten. I still remember the anxiety of leaving each of our children on the first day of school. Looking back, it’s clear that preparing children for that moment begins long before they ever step into a kindergarten classroom. |
|
|
|
For many working parents, access to high-quality, safe, and affordable childcare is not just helpful, it is essential to a child’s early development. These early experiences lay the foundation for learning, growth, and long-term success. Recently, I attended the Ohio Child Care Policy Summit hosted by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce in Columbus. Throughout the summit, we heard compelling examples of how businesses across the state are recognizing that access to affordable childcare is fundamentally an economic development issue. Businesses need a reliable workforce, and too often families are forced to choose between staying home with their children or working because of the cost and limited availability of childcare. At SEI, we believe that any solution must also prioritize quality, ensuring that children develop the skills they need to succeed. A 2025 report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Untapped Potential, found that childcare challenges cost Ohio’s economy $5.48 billion annually. Given the scale of this impact, we must pursue creative and viable solutions. Expanding childcare tax credits for businesses and families, strengthening the childcare workforce pipeline, raising income eligibility thresholds for subsidized childcare, and increasing the number of childcare locations across the state, are all strategies that could help address this challenge and support both families and employers. We must advocate at the State and Federal levels to get the resources needed to mitigate these issues. |
|
|
|
Last week, we brought together educators, community partners, and leaders from across Summit County for our PK8 Breakfast, focused on one shared goal: ensuring every child reads with confidence and comprehension by third grade. We heard from our community what is working in Summit County, including strong early literacy foundations, the science of reading, and the vital role of relationships and engagement to help children view themselves as readers. THEMES: |
- Early skills set the trajectory for long-term success.
- We are building readers, not just teaching reading.
- Families are essential partners in literacy.
- Whole child development supports strong reading outcomes.
- We are grateful to the schools and community partners who shared their bright spots, strategies, and resources. This work is stronger when we learn from each other.
- The momentum continues as we work together to turn these insights into action across our community.
|
|
|
 |
 |
On April 10th, the Summit County Youth Coalition’s SEE (Students for Excellence and Equity) Akron experience culminated in a powerful Spring Showcase, where high school students presented their final research projects and policy recommendations to district leaders and peers. At the start of the 2025 school year, students across each Akron Public high school completed an experience survey to better understand perceptions of student–teacher relationships. Using these insights, each SEE team identified a focus question, developed a theory of action, and engaged their peers and school principals in meaningful dialogue. From there, students established SMART goals and crafted actionable policy recommendations aimed at strengthening relationships and improving school climate. Beyond the research, the experience was transformational. Students shared that they built meaningful connections across schools, strengthened their confidence as leaders and public speakers, and gained a deeper understanding of how their voices can drive systems change. A heartfelt thank you to Akron Public Schools for their continued partnership and commitment to elevating student voice. Together, we are creating pathways for students to not only be heard—but to lead. |
|
|
|
CASE STUDY OVERVIEW:
This case study examines how a backbone organization can build and sustain a parent-led coalition that strengthens feedback loops, builds parent leadership, and begins to influence system-level decisions. THE CHALLENGE:
Parent Voice Was Not Structurally Integrated Into Decision-Making Prior to the coalition’s formation, parent input was typically gathered through surveys, listening sessions, or school-based engagement activities. While valuable, these approaches did not consistently position parents as partners in identifying problems, analyzing root causes, or shaping solutions. This created a gap between family experience and system decision-making. |
|
|
|
| Recognizing this gap, SEI launched the Summit County Parent Coalition in 2023 as part of its cradle-to-career strategy to strengthen continuous improvement and ensure systems respond to family needs. |
|
|
|
Last week, our very own Alicia Robinson took the stage at Leadership Akron’s Leadership on Main, delivering a powerful message on Leading with Intentional Purpose. Alicia challenged the room to move beyond busyness and into intentionality—encouraging leaders to slow down, reflect, and make purposeful choices in both their professional and personal lives. These are the kinds of conversations that continue to shape how leaders show up—in their work, in their communities, and for one another. At Summit Education Initiative, we know that intentional leadership is what drives systems change—aligning people, data, and action to create better outcomes for every child in our community. |
|
|
|
