Chris Meyer from the Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF) joins the show to discuss a new report on early childhood education in Baton Rouge. The report, part of the Foundation’s Opportunity Data Project, highlights serious challenges in how early education is organized, funded, and accessed locally. Despite progress, many children—especially from disadvantaged backgrounds—are not arriving at kindergarten ready to learn. Shockingly, nearly 40% of children in Head Start programs scored zero on readiness assessments, despite high per-child spending.The report revealed systemic dysfunction, including Baton Rouge turning away federal funding for about 600 eligible children due to poor coordination. Meyer emphasized that this isn’t about blaming individuals but recognizing the need for structural change. A task force, including the mayor, school superintendent, providers, and families, has formed to address these issues.

A major breakthrough is the commitment from the mayor and school superintendent to create a new coordinating entity. This organization will unify funding streams, ensure quality standards, and give families real choice in early learning options. The goal is to eliminate the current siloed system where access is limited by funding source.Meyer stressed that the community already has enough funding to support every four-year-old in need. The challenge lies in better coordination and expanding access for younger children. He pointed to successful models in cities like Denver, Tulsa, and even New Orleans.The mayor’s background in education has helped drive urgency and commitment to reform. With data now available to track children’s progress from early learning through elementary school, the community can measure outcomes and adjust strategies. An announcement about the new coordinating entity is expected later this summer, with pilot programs already underway. Meyer concluded that investing in early childhood education is the most impactful way to build a stronger future for Baton Rouge.