Dr. Comer Panelist at Bank Street Capitol Hill Policy Briefing

On November 17, 2011 Dr. James P. Comer was a panelist at Bank Street College of Education’s Capitol Hill policy briefing, The Earlier, The Better: Why Effective Teachers and Leaders are Critical to Early Childhood Education. Dr. Comer used his own life and SDP experience to speak on effective teaching and leadership in early childhood education. He focused on the key elements of developing teachers’ and leaders’ knowledge base in child development and on the importance of family and community engagement to improve children’s social, emotional, and academic outcomes.

Dr. Elizabeth D. Dickey, president of Bank Street College of Education, welcomed the audience to the briefing. Dr. Virginia Roach, dean of the Bank Street Graduate School of Education, introduced the speakers and moderated the Q & A with the panelist who also included Diane Trister Dodge, a Bank Street alumna who is the founder and president of Teaching Strategies, Inc., and Denise Prince, the director of the Bank Street Early Childhood Leadership Program and a Graduate Faculty member.

“The School Development Program and Bank Street College of Education been applying child and adolescent development knowledge on the ground for many, many years. Few universities have that experience. It was important that both organization came together to share our perspective with the members of Congress and their staffers,” said Dr. Comer.

Before the policy briefing Dr. Comer, Dr. Dickey, and Dr. Roach met with Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro, who represents the 3^rd Congressional District in Connecticut and is the ranking minority member of the House Committee on Appropriations

Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. Congresswoman DeLauro has had a long interest and been very supportive of the SDP.