Early childhood education leaders are advocating for increased collaboration in response to the Texas state government’s upcoming control of the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD). During a panel discussion titled “Pouring with a Purpose” held on November 13, 2025, at Pacific Table in Fort Worth, participants underscored the need for alignment between early learning programs and K-12 education.
Dominique McCain, president and CEO of Educational First Steps, emphasized that a child’s readiness to learn is the most valuable gift a teacher can receive. McCain pointed out that whether a child is entering kindergarten or 10th grade, being prepared for the academic challenges ahead is crucial.
The panel, moderated by Nicole Allen of Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, featured prominent figures in early childhood education, including Kym Shaw Day, executive director of the Early Learning Alliance; Jennifer Carpenter, chief program officer of Lena Pope; and Valencia Tave, center director of Fort Worth’s Saintsville Baptist Church Academy.
The discussion highlighted the current challenges faced by families, including escalating child care costs and the difficulty of balancing work and family responsibilities. Panelists expressed concern about limited funding and the urgent need to align early learning initiatives with K-12 educational standards.
McCain noted the importance of this alignment as FWISD transitions to state oversight, which will bring increased scrutiny to early literacy and kindergarten readiness. The panelists stressed that readiness encompasses more than basic academic skills.
“Children are experiencing more trauma,” Shaw Day stated. “We must ensure teachers are prepared to support children emotionally and socially.” These skills are essential for successful navigation of the school system, according to Carpenter, who added, “Kids can learn anything, but they need the skills to handle daily frustrations.”
The stakes are high, as evidenced by Fort Worth’s third-grade reading scores, where only 41% of students met grade-level expectations on the STAAR exam last year. This benchmark is critical for long-term educational success. In response, FWISD has initiated a series of literacy improvements, including new lesson materials and expanded phonics instruction.
Yet, early childhood providers maintain that these initiatives will only be effective if children arrive at kindergarten equipped with necessary language and social-emotional skills. “It’s an opportunity to get them started on the right foot,” McCain said.
Financial pressures on families emerged as a significant theme during the panel. In Tarrant County, the average cost of care for an infant now rivals the cost of a year of in-state college tuition, according to a recent North Texas workforce study. With early educator wages averaging just $33,801 annually—well below the county’s living wage—programs are struggling to retain staff, leading to increased tuition for families and a lack of available child care slots.
Tave highlighted the struggle of working parents: “After a long day, it’s challenging to spend quality time with children without being overwhelmed by daily frustrations.” Carpenter added that the burden often falls on mothers, who are more likely to reduce hours or leave their jobs when care becomes unaffordable.
“Middle-class families with two working parents are finding it impossible to afford care for two children,” she noted. Allen pointed out that applications for child care assistance have surged, with more than 21,000 children in Tarrant County on the scholarship waitlist, indicating that many families are struggling even with two incomes.
These pressures reflect systemic issues within the child care landscape, which McCain has recognized since her transition from K-12 policy to early childhood education. “Our child care system is not a cohesive system,” she observed. “Providers navigate across 26 different departments and divisions at the state level.”
Educational First Steps is focusing on data utilization and classroom coaching to enhance early childhood programs. Tools such as CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) and Hatch, a digital assessment platform for early literacy and math, are being implemented to provide teachers with real-time feedback and support.
Shaw Day reiterated the need for collaboration across sectors, stating, “Silos are not working. Families face challenges with jobs, wages, housing, and child care costs, and addressing these issues separately is ineffective.”
Tave urged community leaders to remember the educators who play a crucial role in early development. “Don’t forget about the early childhood teacher,” she said, stressing that these foundational years are vital.
Panelists agreed on the significance of investing in early education, with Libby Manning, a board member of Educational First Steps, reminding attendees that a child’s brain undergoes the most development between birth and age five. This underscores the importance of early childhood education and collaboration to positively impact future school performance.
As FWISD prepares for state oversight, the call for coordinated efforts among early childhood providers, educators, and policymakers becomes increasingly vital to ensure that every child in Fort Worth is equipped for success in their educational journey.
