Hot Topics in Early Learning

Early Learning in the News

Early learning, focusing here on preschool-third grade, has been gaining attention from researchers, policymakers and the general public alike. This section will be updated every two weeks to provide links to articles related to early STEM and literacy, dual- and English language learners, family engagement and more as it relates to ECE. (Content last updated January 21, 2019). 

• Early learning (General): Sports Betting Could Provide 'Secure Funding' for Early Childhood Education, Advocates Say (The Advocate-Louisiana); 45 States and Territories to Receive Preschool Development Grants (First Five Years Fund)
• Early STEM: Colorado School of Mines, Colorado Department of Education Partner to Offer Free Computer Science Workshops for K-5 Teachers (9 News-Denver)
• Early literacy: Why Millions of Kids Can't Read, And What Better Teacher Can Do About It (National Public Radio)
• Dual- and English language learners: New Effort Launched to Change Education Funding Priorities (Associated Press)
• Equity in Education: New Leaders on Education Panel Say Education Funding, Achievement Gaps Likely Topics (The CT Mirror)
• Family Engagement: How San Antonio Educators are Bridging Cultural Gaps to Involve Parents (San Antonio Express News)
• Finance: This Deep-Red State Decided to Make a Serious Investment in Preschools. It's Paying Off Big-Time (Mother Jones)
• School Discipline & Social-Emotional Learning: Third Try: Will this be the Year Colorado Gets a Law Limiting Suspensions and Expulsions of Young Children? (Chalkbeat Colorado)
• Workforce: Low Pay, High Turnover Hurts Early Childhood Education in Nebraska, Buffett Institute Says (Scottsbluff Star Herald)

Staying current with research is a must in the field of education policy. This section will provide current developments in each of the fields highlighted below.

• Early learning (General): Building Cross-Sector P-3 Leaders (National P-3 Center)
• Early STEM: Considerations for STEM Education from Pre-K Through Grade 3 (Community for Advancing Discovery Research in Education)
• Early literacy: One Step at a Time: The Effects of an Early Literacy Text Messaging Program for Parents of Preschoolers (Stanford Center for Education Policy Analysis)
• Dual- and English langauge learners: Infographic: The Average Day of Low-Income Latino Parents (National Research Center on Hispanic Children and Families)
• Equity in Education: Equity in Education: Breaking Down Barriers to Social Mobility (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development)
• Family engagement: Public Libraries Engage Families in STEM (Global Family Research Project)
• Finance: Changing Up the Child Care Block Grant to Meet Market Challenges (Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis)
• School Discipline & Social-Emotional Learning: From a Nation at Risk to a Nation at Hope (Aspen Institute National Commission on Social, Emotional and Academic Development)
• School Leadership and Workforce: Advancing the Field: Improving Education and Compensation for Early Childhood Education Teachers (REL Mid-Atlantic)

Blogs, Podcasts, Videos and Webinars 

Links to recent blogs, podcasts and webinars are presented to provide the reader with additional formats for gathering information in the fields highlighted below. 

• Early learning (General): Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships: Spotlighting Early Successes Across America (Bipartisan Policy Center)
• Early STEM: Families Matter for STEM Learning (Global Family Research Project)
• Early Literacy: Hard Words: Why Aren't Our Kids Being Taught to Read? (APM Reports)
• Dual- and English-language learners: Promoting Kindergarten Readiness for Dual Language Learners: Evidence-based Language Models and Strategies (REL Northeast & Islands)
• Equity in Education: Equity, Data, Alignment: A Strategic Plan for Education (CPRE Knowledge Hub)
• Family engagement: The Role of Family and Community Partnerships in School-based Social Emotional Learning Programs (REL Northeast & Islands)
• Finance: Transforming the Financing of Early Care and Education with a Highly-Qualified Workforce (Mathematica Policy Research)
• School Discipline: Suspension and Expulsion in the Early Years (NCSL)
• Social and Emotional Learning: Brain Development and Childhood Adversity (NCSL-Our American States Podcast)
• Workforce: Transforming Early Care and Education Financing with a Highly-Qualified Workforce (REL Mid-Atlantic)

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Matt Weyer is a senior policy specialist in the Education Program.