A selection of early ed news from the week September 6-12:
TOP STORY:
This week a new Gallup poll reaffirmed what the FFYF.org poll found earlier this year: Americans support investing in early education. EdCentral reports: “In the Gallup poll, Seventy percent of Americans say they support using federal dollars to increase funding to provide universal, high-quality pre-K. That’s a startling number, given the fight early education programs have seen even to maintain funding from year to year in the face of federal belt-tightening and the sequester. But the survey could offer hope to supporters of early education programs–and to candidates in the field ahead of November’s midterm elections.” Read more.
And more on the poll:
Poll: Nearly Two-Thirds Favor More Spending on Preschool
Americans Favor Federal Support of Pre-K
OTHER NATIONAL NEWS:
Politico reports that House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline said Wednesday that negotiators are “very, very close to an agreement” on a Child Care and Development Block Grant rewrite — and that the House could vote on a bill before the next recess. A refresher: The Senate passed the bill, which would update childcare law, this spring. More from Maggie Severns in House unveils childcare rewrite.
FROM THE STATES:
Georgia
State tries to improve early education with new ‘zones’
Hawaii
Campaigns court voters on funding for preschools
Illinois
Chicago City Council’s progressive caucus demands “truly universal” early childhood care
Grassroots and union activists urge universal preschool in Chicago
Indiana
Mayor Greg Ballard to present crime, early education plan
Funding alternatives being discussed for Mayor Ballard’s preschool program
Indianapolis Star columnist Erika D. Smith: Mayor’s preschool plan too important to fail
New Mexico
Albuquerque Journal: Breaking down the permanent fund debate “The dispute is not about the need for early childhood education. It is about, first, fund stability, second, program implementation challenges and, third, the way different people view endowments in general.”
Massachusetts
Election roundup: What’s worse: New taxes or no universal pre-k? Aids to Massachusetts gubernatorial candidates Charlie Baker and Martha Coakley sent out dueling press releases over the issue – and cost – of universal pre-kindergarten. Coakley (Democrat) mentioned universal pre-K in Tuesday night’s victory speech. Baker’s base wants a government that’s fiscally conservative, but pre-K might appeal to surburban women he needs to win.
Michigan
Detroit Head Start providers get $2M to expand services
Missouri
Former Missourian managing editor George Kennedy says early childhood education and job prospects could fight crime
Pennsylvania
Letter to the editor from a former chief of staff for the U.S. Army Recruiting Command calls for support for Pre-K for PA
Tennessee
Coverage of Secretary Duncan’s Back-to-school bus tour:
Strong Parent-Engagement Plans Will Give States Edge in Newest Pre-K Competition
US Secretary of Education Visits Chattanooga
Texas
Pre-K 4 SA program returns positive first-year results
Denton Pre-K program a boon for kids
Pre-K 4 SA program receives high marks in study
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis reiterated her call for broad funding of pre-K
Vermont
Let’s Grow Kids touts vital early education
Wisconsin