Early Education Clips for Week of February 23-27
Here’s a sampling of early childhood education in the news this week:
TOP STORY
Advocates, Education Secretary Call for Early Education Funding as House Takes Up Legislation This week, the Grow America Stronger coalition released its recommendations on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), including a new, dedicated funding stream for early education. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan also called on Congress to include early learning in the nation’s education bill.
Read More:
Despite Hiccups, House Nearing the Finish Line in NCLB Rewrite Debate– Education Week
Arne Duncan Talks Early Childhood Education at Alexandria School – Washington Post
OTHER NATIONAL NEWS
Fund Early Childhood Education to Close Achievement Gap In an op-ed column, Jack McCarthy, President and CEO of the AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation, calls on Congress to target federal resources for early learning in the ESEA bill. Read More at the San Jose Mercury News.
Federal Home Visiting Funds Awarded to States The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $386 million to states, territories and non-profit organizations through the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program (MIECHV). The grants will expand voluntary, evidence-based home visiting services to families and expectant mothers. Read More at Occupational Health & Safety.
FROM THE STATES
MICHIGAN: New Study Shows Early Childhood Education Investments Lower Crime, Tax Expenditures A study commissioned by the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation and conducted by the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation has found that Detroit taxpayers would save $96,000 for every child enrolled in a high-quality early education program. Michigan taxpayers would save $47,000 for each of these children. Most savings would be from the criminal justice system. Read More.
NORTH DAKOTA: Pre-K Bill Passes Senate The North Dakota State Senate approved a $6 million bill to subsidize pre-K enrollment, creating the state’s first publicly-funded early childhood education program. The legislation has moved to the House for consideration. Read More.
NEW YORK: Governor Announces Plan to Expand Pre-K to 3-Year-Olds New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced $25 million in new funding to expand pre-K programs to 3-year-olds in the state’s neediest communities. Read More.
NEW MEXICO: Senator Udall Calls on State to Improve Early Childhood Education U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) addressed a joint session of the New Mexico Legislature, calling for more state funding for early learning programs. Read More.