Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America

Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America explores the power of investing in high-quality early childhood education so that all children and families have the opportunity to attain the American Dream.

Starting at Zero examines the latest developmental brain science to demonstrate how essential the earliest years of learning are to maximize human potential. Key features of high-quality early childhood learning environments and experiences are outlined and then brought to life as the film delves into the evolution of Alabama's #1 nationally ranked state Pre-K program. The film culminates with a call to governors across America for collective action: to set our nation on the path to future success through significant investments in high quality early childhood education, both to support today's workforce, and to build the workforce of tomorrow.

The film brings together the voices of policymakers, educators, academics, business leaders, pediatricians, parents, and children. It features five current and past governors who are champions of early childhood education: Governors Steve Bullock of Montana, Kay Ivey of Alabama, and Ralph Northam of Virginia, as well as former Governors Jim Hunt of North Carolina, and Phil Bryant of Mississippi.

At the heart of the film is the affirmation that if children are given the opportunity to thrive in settings with caring, responsive adults, fostered by an increased public investment in early childhood education, that the returns to our society will be deep and long-lasting.

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FILMMAKER'S STATEMENT: "The landscape of early childhood education in the United States is fragmented, but across this diversity of perspectives, we discovered so much commonality — a collective understanding of the importance of high-quality early learning, how to accomplish its, and sense of urgency to act. These conversations and shared themes became the backbone of Starting at Zero.

In a time when our social issues run deep, and our stakes high, film is a powerful medium for bringing together the voices of individuals who may never otherwise have the opportunity to connect — and discover common ground. When approached with a mindset of listening, learning, and curiosity, it's clear that there's a lot more that unites us than divides us. We hope that Starting at Zero will indeed encourage "Reimagining Education in America," spark "aha" moments for our viewers, and drive collective action on early childhood education in states across the country. And that if we can rally around investing together in a hopeful future for children, families — and our nation — that we may begin to find common ground in other critical areas, as well.

Deep in my DNA I believe in the power of storytelling to help bridge the gap between the world as it is, and as we want and dream it can be, and hope to continue to tell stories and produce films to nurture that transformation."

— Willa Kammerer