Ypsilanti Head Start Preschool to be named after educator Charles E. Beatty Sr.
The Ypsilanti Head Start preschool building at 1661 Leforge Road will be named after Charles Eugene Beatty Sr., the late educator whose work with the HighScope Perry Preschool Study continues to provide evidence of the importance of a preschool education for children of low-income families.
The Leforge Road building will be named after Charles E. Beatty Sr.
AnnArbor.com file photo
Washtenaw Intermediate School District, which began overseeing all of the Washtenaw County Head Start programs in July, and Washtenaw County supports the adoption of the new name, according to a news release.
Beatty graduated from Michigan State Normal College - now Eastern Michigan University - in 1933. Upon graduating, he joined the field of education and in 1940 he became the first African-American school principal in Michigan.
He served as principal at Ypsilanti’s Harriet Street School, which was later renamed Perry School. In 1962, Beatty began working with Dr. David Weikart of the HighScope Foundation to conduct a study of the relationship between attending a preschool program and success later in life.
A formal resolution to rename the Leforge Building will be presented at the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners meeting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4 in the board room of the Administration Building, 220 N. Main St. Beatty’s family will attend the meeting to accept the resolution.
Chelsea Hoedl is an intern reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at choedl@mlive.com.
Comments
LA
Sat, Aug 24, 2013 : 1:28 p.m.
Head Start is so important! How sad that funding is so reduced these days. We should be expanding its reach! Don't people understand that helping the children reaps benefits for the rest of their lives?
Elan
Sat, Aug 24, 2013 : 12:08 p.m.
Nice touch and recognition of the man and his cause! Well done and deserved!
Jaime Magiera
Sat, Aug 24, 2013 : 5:46 a.m.
Charles Beatty's influence is needed now more than ever. This is good news. With the name comes the inspiration and motivation of his work.
Pontoon
Sat, Aug 24, 2013 : 12:54 a.m.
Where will the funds come from to pay the Head Start Building debt that is being taken over by the WISD? Will there be federal funds either in addition to or in lieu of county funds? Isn't Head Start federally funded?