2025 Summit: Investing in Inclusive PK-3 Education

This year’s virtual summit brings together educators, administrators, and researchers in child development to explore both the importance of inclusive PK-3 education and practical strategies to maximize its impact. By bridging research and practice, this conference aims to empower educators and decision-makers with the knowledge and strategies needed to maximize over $5 billion in annual federal and state funding toward early childhood education—ensuring that resources translate into lasting impacts for young learners.

Opening Remarks

Alison Yoshimoto-Towery

Executive Director, UC|CSU Collaborative for Neuroscience, Diversity, and Learning

Jennie Grammer

Faculty Director, UC|CSU Collaborative for Neuroscience, Diversity, and Learning

State Context and Purpose

Investing in inclusive PK-3 education is one of the most powerful ways to promote long-term academic, social, and economic success for all students. Research consistently demonstrates that high-quality early learning experiences shape brain development, build foundational skills, and reduce achievement gaps, and that inclusive settings maximize opportunities and outcomes for students. Realizing the full impact of this investment requires that educators, administrators, and policymakers effectively implement evidence-based practices in classrooms and early learning programs.

Keynote

Iheoma U. Iruka, Ph.D.

Cultivating Joy & Learning for All Across the Early Grades

The first eight years of life set the foundation for children’s learning, school, and life success. Unfortunately, race, place, language, ability, and zip code continue to determine whether children have the access and opportunities to flourish and be on track for school and life success. The urgency to act is now! This keynote will examine key evidence-informed factors that ensure all learners have access to joyful and enriching learning opportunities. Specifically, this presentation will cover some of the key features that can be aligned from PK-3 (i.e., the early grades) to improve the pathways for excellence for children and their families.