Advocating for early childhood education in Idaho can be discouraging. Just ask Beth Oppenheimer.
“Sometimes you fall to the ground and get back up,” the former executive director of the Idaho Children's Education Association recently told EdNews.
For Oppenheimer, this is a literal example, in which politicians rejected $18 million in federal funding over three years to support early childhood education across the state.
“$18 million of our taxpayer money, your taxpayer money, everyone’s taxpayer money was taken away…” “It was unheard of,” she said.
When the unthinkable happened, she fell to the floor sobbing. But she didn't give up. “We’re going to figure this out.” she is told EdNews At that time.
And she innovated a new approach that focused on local rather than statewide planning. Today, AEYC’s Early Learning Collaboration We have grown to 25 communities, each finding unique ways to provide affordable, quality early education opportunities.
Oppenheimer, a Boise school board trustee, has also been a leading voice on kindergarten through 12th grade issues in one of the state's largest school districts.
She is a champion for children “from cradle to career,” as Kevin Bailey, AEYC’s incoming board chairman, said.
Monday is her last day of education in Idaho. Oppenheimer is expected to formally resign from the Boise Board of Education at its regular meeting Monday night, and Friday marked AEYC's last day.
Her next stop: XQ Lab She will serve as Director of Policy and Research in Washington, DC. Founded by Laurene Powell Jobs, the organization aims to “rethink the high school experience so that every student graduates prepared to succeed in college, careers, and real life.”
Her experience in the Gem State made her this way. “If you can explore education here in Idaho, you can do it anywhere,” she said.
Now it will be up to others to “keep the fire burning”
In some ways, Idaho's progress in early learning has been a paradigm shift. When Oppenheimer first arrived on the scene as AEYC's executive director in 2010, pre-K education was a taboo topic.
“I couldn’t even talk about my childhood. She can’t say ‘kindergarten,’” she said.
Oppenheimer remembers asking former Governor Butch Otter about investing in early childhood. “We have to fix K-12 first.” he said to her.
Today, state leaders, lawmakers and others are beginning to back the message AEYC has long promoted. “It has a lifelong positive impact on children.” Contributes to kindergarten readiness and early literacy skills.
In 2022, Gov. Brad Little promoted a $47 million investment in early literacy, which some districts would use to fund full-day kindergarten.
“If we can give students a strong start, our investments in their education will have a greater impact later in life,” he said. at that time. “It is not only our constitutional obligation, it is also our moral obligation.”
“I’m really proud of how we’ve shifted the conversation,” Oppenheimer said. “And it took a long time.”
Teamwork was also required.
Rod Gramer, president and CEO of Idaho Business for Education, said the most important policy issue for business leaders is early education. Early training promotes a more educated workforce and boosts recruitment efforts. That's because prospective employees often value states with strong, quality education systems that start early.
“Our business leaders know that it is better to prepare children for the future than to fix them,” he said.
As momentum for pre-K education grew, Gramer and Oppenheimer began working to expand opportunities for young children, building on Mississippi's early learning collaborative model. Oppenheimer applied for a federal grant to fund the concept, but was ultimately rejected.
But on that dark day, an opportunity presented itself for a defining and unforgettable moment in a long career.
Oppenheimer shifted his strategy from a top-down, politician-led approach to one driven by superintendents, mayors, teachers, parents, and other local residents who want early care and education in their communities.
Today, it has grown into a network of 25 communities, from American Falls to Marsing to Kendrick-Juliaetta, with each building partnership providing “affordable, comprehensive early learning opportunities that are out of reach for many families.”
“We have seen tremendous movement and progress across the state in that we have more children participating in early learning activities than ever before,” Oppenheimer said.
“What she did was really lay the foundation for the future,” Gramer said. “I think her legacy will be the work we have done outside of the legislature to keep early education burning.”
Progress slowed as obstacles persisted.
Attitudes toward early education appear to be changing, but like the Attorney General, frustration remains. Raul Labrador's Recent research AEYC, other nonprofits and some school districts were investigated for inappropriate use of COVID-19 relief funds for children under 5 years of age. Recently, Oppenheimer commented on this incident: “It’s truly amazing.”
and proposal For a new provincial Office of Early Childhood Education to coordinate public and private services for children under five years of age; advanced It passed the House Education Committee last month. delayed; I don't think you'll be heard on the House Floor this session.
Ron Nate, president of the Idaho Freedom Foundation. said The Constitution does not require the legislature to support early childhood education, and doing so would “leave (us) in a 'communist manifesto.'”
Rep. Dale Hawkins, R-Fernwood, agreed that such services are not the state's responsibility.
Idaho lawmakers have long rejected legislation to fund early childhood education.
“It was disappointing for all of us because we believe so strongly in early education that we couldn’t get any movement on the issue in the Legislature,” Gramer said.
Idaho is one of the few states that is not investing in pre-K. Oppenheimer believes that's partly because lawmakers are “out of touch” with what the community wants and needs. “My hope is that eventually legislators will figure out what’s going on in their own backyard and how it’s really affecting their constituents.”
As a trustee, she was able to ‘build a powerful coalition’ in the face of adversity.
In addition to his work at AEYC, Oppenheimer has served on the board of Boise Schools since 2016. a controversial decision We responded to the upswing through the pandemic era. mental health issuesand argued Declining enrollment and staffing.
She also played a key role in expanding the district's pre-K program and full-day kindergarten, and led the Student Advisory Council to keep student voices front and center, later serving alongside Shiva Rhajbandari. make history By joining the board of directors when he was a senior at Boise High School.
“(Oppenheimer’s) ability to build powerful coalitions between people and organizations that may have nothing in common is remarkable,” said Coby Dennis, superintendent of the Boise School District. “Her statewide and national expertise, as well as her understanding of what people can agree on, whether we are discussing how best to deliver K-3 literacy, or how to provide full-day kindergarten access to every child in Boise. It has been a great help to our district. .”
Oppenheimer witnessed first-hand the tremendous changes that occurred as the school board garnered unprecedented levels of interest and attention, resulting in an unusually large number of competing trusteeships.
Participation is great, she said, as long as interested people come forward to support education rather than diminish it. And they need to know that they have a lot to learn when they take on the role of overseeing a school district.
Oppenheimer's New Chapter: Reimagining High School
Advocates across the state praised Oppenheimer as a pioneering change agent in Idaho education.
Losing her would be a “real blow,” Gramer said. “We need to pick up the baton and keep this moving forward.”
“(Oppenheimer) has an unwavering commitment to Idaho’s young children,” said Jackie Yarbrough, senior program director for the Blue Cross of Health Foundation of Idaho, which has worked with AEYC for more than a decade. “Idaho is in a better position and has more opportunities to advance early education because of the groundbreaking work (she) has done.”
The Boise Board of Trustees plans to announce next steps for a new director at its regular meeting Monday evening. And the AEYC board is working with a national search firm to find a replacement, a process expected to take several months.
“(Oppenheimer’s) legacy is truly unmatched,” said President-elect Kevin Bailey. “She is the state’s leading leader and authority on early childhood and child care opportunities. Finding a replacement will be difficult.”
Oppenheimer said his goal was always simple. It's about helping children and families.
This wasn't always easy in Idaho, but Oppenheimer said he wasn't giving up on the move. She plans to continue fighting for education on a bigger stage.
In her new role, she will focus on rethinking the high school experience with a focus on graduate profiles and project-based learning.
And her work may still have an impact on the Gem State. Idaho has already One of three pilot states Explore XQ Institute's math badge program. aim ““It revitalizes high school mathematics and engages more students in rigorous, relevant, and diverse learning opportunities in intermediate and advanced courses.”
“I don’t run away.” Oppenheimer said. “I’m running toward new opportunities, new challenges, and new focus.”
Additional resources: Oppenheimer resigns from AEYC and Boise School Board; Beth Oppenheimer's passion keeps her going: 'We are building systems'