(Washington, DC, Thursday, September 20, 2018) – Who are the Children of 2030 and what can we do for them now? These kindergarten graduates are part of Generation Alpha (born 2010-2015). They’ve just started first grade in 2018.

The Class of 2030:

• Has unprecedented diversity; no one race, language or family type is “the norm.”
• Requires us to transform education – especially our systems of early education.
• Is served by two million early educators who work very long hours and are underpaid, often relying on public assistance although they work full-time.
• As the leading early childhood education credentialing organization in the U.S., The Council for Professional Recognition works to increase public awareness of the strengths and competencies of early childhood educators which leads to increased respect and drives pay equity.

Three Things to Expect from the Class of 2030:

• Broad Diversity – This is the first cohort group where all members are born in the 21^st Century.
• Exploding Costs throughout their lives – The cost of early childhood education already exceeds the cost of rent or mortgage for many families. And, looking ahead, tuition at a private university could cost $130,000 a year; State Universities could cost over $41,000 a year (twice today’s cost).
• Unpredicted and Unforeseen Impact of Technology – There is both a knowledge gap and social impact the increased prevalence of technology will have on young children.

Educating Generation Alpha starts with a high-quality early childhood education for children ages zero to five. That’s a role the Council for Professional Recognition has been fulfilling for nearly 35 years. The Class of 2030 and all the children who follow them will need:

• Teachers – Communities will need to recognize, honor and respect the role early childhood educators play in the lives and future of children ages birth to 5.  These teachers should be equipped with specialized knowledge, important soft skills, and the demonstrated competencies.
• Teaching – The 21st-century skills students will need to develop to succeed are cognitive and social-emotional skills; creativity; problem-solving; relationship building and self-regulation.
• Broad and deep Public Investment – We must close the achievement gaps and other inequities among all groups of young children. Achievements gaps are real, and research demonstrates that they can be closed – success in this area starts in the early years.