Child Care and Early Education Legislative Network E-Update
January 2007
In This Update:
Preschool Rocks
January’s edition of State Legislatures magazine features an article, Preschool Rocks, authored by Steffanie Clothier and Julie Poppe. Research on brain development, concerns about school readiness, and numerous studies about the benefits of preschool have made the years before kindergarten a new focus of attention for many people, including governors and legislators. This article describes some of the research that supports the benefits of preschool and provides state examples of strategies to create or expand preschool programs.
Early Care and Education Legislation Highlights 2006
In 2006, at least forty states enacted substantive child care and early education legislation. This is an increase of nine states over the 31 that enacted legislation in 2005. Click on the link above to access the 2006 Early Care and Education Legislation Highlights. For more detailed information on the laws referenced in this document, refer to the legislation summaries.
Early Care and Education Legislation Summaries 2006
This document summarizes early care and education legislation that was enacted in 2006, and covers topics such as prekindergarten, child care, and birth to five. It also includes summaries of the laws that are referenced in the Legislation Highlights document. Click on the link above to access this information.
Highlights of Early Care and Education Funding Increases in 2006
In 2006 state legislatures made significant increases in appropriations to early care and education programs and services. State increases included more funding for prekindergarten, services for children ages birth to five, and child care. This link will access a document that highlights the significant budget actions in 2006, based on budget information collected as of October 31, 2006.
Fiscal Analysts Seminar
NCSL's Fiscal Analysts Seminar was held in San Diego, California, September 5-8. The Child Care and Early Education Project conducted a Human Services session, Financing Early Childhood Education, which reviewed state approaches to financing early care and education. The speakers were Steffanie Clothier, Program Director, NCSL, and Richard N. Brandon, Director, Human Services Policy Center, University of Washington. They presented the tradeoffs, strengths and weaknesses, and other considerations for states that are focusing on high-quality early learning. Click on their names to view each speaker’s presentation.
In Case You Missed It: NCSL’s Annual Meeting Presentations 2006
In case you missed NCSL’s 2006 Annual Meeting held in Nashville, Tennessee, August 15-18, copies of the early care and education presentations are available on our website. The Child Care and Early Education Project sponsored a concurrent session on the topic of school readiness, and during Human Services committee time there was a presentation on Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care. In collaboration with the NCSL/Annie E. Casey Partnership on Family Economic Success, we also presented a breakfast session that featured George Kaiser as the keynote speaker.
Technical Assistance Opportunities
As states enter the new year and many legislatures prepare for upcoming sessions, we want to remind you that the Child Care and Early Education project provides a range of technical assistance such as:
- Timely responses to information requests
- Research on child care and early education issues
- Prepare options that are based on other states’ experiences and legislation
- Connect legislators and legislative staff with policy experts, scientists, economists, and stakeholders, who can help identify options for your state
- Facilitate discussions with policy makers and stakeholders
- Enhance communication by connecting legislators across states
- Testify at committee hearings
- Short-term or in-depth technical assistance to state legislators interested in child care, early education, and pre-kindergarten issues
***********************************************************************************************
Note that this distribution list is limited to state legislators and legislative staff.
 Child Care and Early Education Legislative Network E-Update
|
