Aligned was founded in 2011 with a vision:
Every. Student. Prepared.
Since then, our coalition has worked with business leaders, educators, and policymakers to tackle systemic challenges in early learning, K-12 education, and workforce readiness. Below is a year-by-year look at the major milestones that highlight our progress and impact.
Win History
2012
Aligned (formerly ACE) officially forms and sponsors Early Learning Symposium in Kansas City.
2013
Advocated for full funding of the Children’s Initiative Fund (CIF) in KS and the Early Childhood Development, Education and Care Fund (ECDEC) in MO.
2014
Passed legislation to add Pre-K funding framework to foundation formula in MO.
2015
Launched Raise Your Hand for Kids, a statewide ballot initiative to secure funding for early care and education in MO.
2016
Championed legislation that ended the ban on quality rating systems for early learning programs and established the Quality Assurance Report (QAR) in MO. Protected the CIF from liquidation in KS.
2017
Supported reauthorization of Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) and universal Kindergarten in KS.
2018
Fought to fully fund schools in MO, which triggered dollars for Pre-K, extended the sunset for the QAR, championed legislation to create the Visiting Scholars teacher certification, and helped pass an education workforce package in MO.
2019
Enabled state funding for Pre-K programs, advocated for $6.5M in home visitation funds in MO, secured funding for Wyandotte County ECE pilot & championed legislation for Dual Credit Certification and college course access for HS students in KS.
2020
Served on the ZERO TO THREE’s Building Strong Foundations for Families state technical assistance team to study early childhood administration in MO.
2021
Supported the Governor’s Executive Order to create the Office of Childhood and educated lawmakers on the issue. Passed the Kansas Promise Scholarship, ACT/WorkKeys Expansion statewide in KS.
2022
Worked to pass the Competency-Based Credit Taskforce and pilot fund and expanded Visiting Scholars in MO. Led the effort to pass Work Based Learning Insurance coverage for schools and expanded transportation options for districts in KS.
2023
Led effort to pass $82M in additional early learning funding for school districts and childcare providers in MO. Worked to pass the expansion of the Kansas Promise Scholarship Act.
2024
Advocated for the inclusion of language into a sweeping education reform bill that doubled the state investment in Pre-K and the and the creation of a differentiated pay program to address teacher recruitment and retention in MO.
2025
Supported legislation requiring literacy to be phonics-based and funding for the Community Child care Exchange Program.