Excel by Eight
The vision for the initiative is for all Arkansas children to have access to quality health care and education that maximizes their full potential, regardless of gender, income, ethnicity, or geography. When communities have a fully powered grid of family, health, education, and community resources, child development outcomes improve.
Excel by Eight, formerly The Arkansas Campaign for Grade-Level Reading has launched a namesake initiative called E8 in partnership with Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Arkansas Community Foundation and Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. The vision for the initiative is for all Arkansas children to have access to quality health care and education that maximizes their full potential, regardless of gender, income, ethnicity, or geography. When communities have a fully powered grid of family, health, education, and community resources, child development outcomes improve.
In collaborating with the state-wide network of Excel by Eight, the Batesville Area Chamber and area partners are creating a model of change for building and repairing Independence County’s resource grid. This model is fueling a statewide movement, aiming to propel Arkansas to the top of national rankings on child health and education outcomes.
Jamie Rayford & Crystal Johnson, Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce
Candice Morrow, Parent at Large
Jennifer Douglas, Batesville School District
Abbi Limbaugh, Cedar Ridge School District
Bani Meharg, Midland School District
Novella Humphrey, Southside School District
Dr. Julia Roulier/Brandi Nelson, UAMS Family Medicine
Kristie Jenkins, ARCare
Amy Finster, White River Health
Dr. Leslie Milton, Tooth Be Told Pediatric Dentistry
Mary Katherine Hardin, Stars Academy
Mindy Shaw, Batesville Preschool
Beverly Wright, UACCB Early Childhood Development
Nikki Yonts, Lyon College
Debbie Mize, NorthCentral Arkansas Child Care Aware
Lorrie McClure, Parents as Teachers
Shawn Craig, Cedar Ridge Early Learning & Enrichment Center
Abbi Limbaugh, Cedar Ride School District
Valarie Hibbitts, Midland Preschool & Tiny Tots
Lisa McGhee, Southside Preschool & T.R.A.C.K.S.
Build a culture of reading by increasing access to books, making more families aware of the science of reading methods, and creating community collaborations that instill a love of reading.
► Access to Books Refine Dolly Parton's Imagination Library affiliate operations and partner with networks for distributing books to children who have aged out of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
►Science of Reading Awareness Create opportunities for parents to learn more about the science of reading and literacy development for all ages and become a RISE Arkansas community
►Early Language Development Use LENA Grow technology to coach and track improvements to each child's exposure to and use of language, a critical foundation for grade-level reading.
Language & Literacy Subcommittee
Language and Literacy Update Form
