What is the Business-Education Allience of Merced County?

A partnership of committed business, education, government, and community leaders who support education, workforce development, and economic growth in Merced County

WHAT IS B.E.A.M.’s MISSION?

To support each child’s journey - from preschool to productivity - building an educated community, a qualified workforce and a strong local economy

WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF THE ALLIANCE?

  • Beginning with preschool, ensure all children in Merced County have access to quality education that leads to lifelong employment skills
  • Narrow the achievement gap early on by making effective early childhood education a priority, resulting in increased high school, vocational and college graduation rates
  • Support education strategies, starting with preschool, that will decrease incarceration rates, reduce dependence on social welfare, and increase long-term economic self-sufficiency
  • Increase family and community involvement in education by developing a communication network that will promote the vision, mission and goal of B.E.A.M.

WHY INVEST YOUR TIME LEARNING ABOUT PRESCHOOL?

The journey to productivity requires an investment in each child’s education, starting with a quality preschool experience

SOLID RESEARCH SAYS…

Attending Preschool Develops Critical Learning Skills

  • Provides opportunity to positively affect crucial early brain development – a 3-year-old can learn three languages!
  • Increases reading and math skills
  • Increases scores on intelligence and language tests
  • Reduces need and costs for special education
  • Reduces number of students repeating grades

Attending Preschool Helps Create More Productive, Responsible Adults

  • Improves later family and peer relationships
  • Reduces teen pregnancy, child abuse, neglect, and reliance on social services • Reduces likelihood of adult smoking and drug abuse
  • At age 40, former preschoolers are more likely to be employed and earn significantly more than those who did not attend preschool

Attending Preschool Helps Build Strong Communities

  • Produces a return on investment of approximately $3.15 for every $1 of public funds spent on preschool
  • Reduces crime and arrest rates for juveniles and adults
  • Increases earnings, purchasing power, & tax revenues
  • Increases rates of home ownership and property tax revenues for local school districts

Attending Preschool Helps Create More Productive Employees

  • Contributes to business success due to the availability of a better-educated, more skilled workforce.
  • Decreases turnover and absenteeism because parents can focus on their jobs when their children are in safe learning environments

Preschool is a sound investment strategy with impressive fiscal returns.

HOW TO SUPPORT THE MISSION AND GOALS OF THE BUSINESS-EDUCATION ALLIANCE

  • Attend Alliance meetings to learn from regional and state experts
  • Support effective programs that correlate educational attainment and economic success
  • Advocate for access to quality preschool programs for all children in Merced County
  • Distribute preschool and childcare information to employees
  • Provide a Flex Benefit plan that allows employees to pay childcare with pre-tax dollars
  • Get involved with a local preschool program
  • Become involved with students to promote excitement and “relevance” so they will continue their schooling
  • Participate in study groups
  • Contact local, state and national policy-makers to support effective preschool and K-12 education

The Business-Education Alliance of Merced County is funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and led by the Merced County Office of Education and the P-16 Council

For further information, contact Carol Greenberg, Business-Education Alliance Facilitator at (209) 564-1212 or cgreenberg@mcoe.org