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The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) is pleased to continue another year of its annual Early Learning Fellows program for state legislators and staff.
States have been leading efforts to improve the quality of child care, expand access to preschool, improve school readiness and develop innovative ways to support families with young children across the age spectrum from birth to kindergarten and into the early grades. They also address complex challenges around governance, financing, coordinated data systems and teacher training/professional development. Scientific and evaluation research provide new insights into both child development and programs that are showing results.
We are pleased to offer a legislative fellows program to legislators and legislative staff at no cost. NCSL’s Early Learning Fellows program is made possible by grants from the Alliance for Early Success, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Heising-Simons Foundation and Mattel Inc.
On this page you will find all information related to the fifth round of Early Learning Fellows.
Class 5 | 2016
Meet the Fellows
View the photo roster.
Legislators
Representative Chad Caldwell, Oklahoma |
Senator Ann Millner, Utah |
Senator Donna Campbell, Texas |
Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, District of Columbia |
Representative Joseph D. Deshotel, Texas |
Representative Lillian Ortiz-Self, Washington |
Representative Helen Giddings, Texas |
Senator Stephan Pappas, Wyoming |
Representative Jodi Hack, Oregon |
Representative Carla Piluso, Oregon |
Assemblymember Pamela Harris, New York |
Representative Patricia Haynes Smith, Louisiana |
Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman, New York |
Senator John Stinner, Nebraska |
Representative Donny C. Lambeth, North Carolina |
Senate Assistant Minority Leader Charleta Tavares, Ohio |
Senator Peggy Lehner, Ohio |
Senator Steven Thayn, Idaho |
Senate Majority Whip Gayle Manning, Ohio |
Representative Paul Tucker, Massachusetts |
Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, California |
Senator Wayne Wallingford, Missouri |
Senator Rebecca Millett, Maine |
Senator Brice Wiggins, Mississippi |
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Legislative Staff
Bethany Anderson, Wisconsin |
Kimber Liedl, Wisconsin |
Abbey Fabick, Wisconsin |
Jenna Watts, Texas |
Liz Hruska, Nebraska |
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NCSL Staff
Rochelle Finzel
group director, Children and Families Program |
Julie Poppe
program manager, Children and Families Program |
Robyn Lipkowitz
program director, Children and Families Program |
Matthew Weyer
policy specialist, Education Program |
Alison May
staff coordinator, Children and Families Program |
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Kickoff Meeting
The Fellows program began with the Kickoff Meeting: Building State Leadership at the Magnolia Hotel Omaha, May 18-20, 2016.
Agenda | Participant List | Speaker Biographies
Wednesday, May 18
5-7 p.m. |
Reception and Meet and Greet
Courtyard
Introductions: Rochelle Finzel, NCSL
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Thursday, May 19
8-8:30 a.m. |
Breakfast & Networking
Lotus Room |
8:30-9 a.m. |
Welcome, Introductions and Overview of the Day
Introductions: Robyn Lipkowitz, NCSL
Jessie Rasmussen, Buffett Early Childhood Fund |
9-10:30 a.m. |
Building a Foundation for Achievement: How Early Experiences Shape Brain Architecture
Pre-reading: Brain Architecture
Introduction: Robyn Lipkowitz, NCSL
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10:30-11:30 a.m. |
Building Off of the Science and Looking to Recent Trends
Introduction: Julie Poppe, NCSL
Speaker: Katharine Stevens, American Enterprise Institute, D.C.
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11:30-Noon |
Reflecting/Networking/Thinking about your Early Learning Plan |
Noon-1 p.m. |
Lunch
Sponsor: Mattel
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1-2:30 p.m. |
New Opportunities in Child Care and Guided Discussion
Pre-reading: Implementing the CCDBG Reauthorization: A Guide for States
Moderators: Robyn Lipkowitz & Julie Poppe, NCSL
Speakers: Christine Johnson-Staub, Center for Law and Social Policy, D.C.
Karen Schulman, National Women’s Law Center, D.C.
Michelle McCready, Child Care Aware, Virginia
[Presentation I] [Presentation II] |
2:30-3 p.m. |
Planning and Networking |
3-4:15 p.m. |
Pay for Success: Innovative Financing to Support Early Childhood Programs
Pre-reading: Pay for Success 101
Moderator: Rochelle Finzel, NCSL
Speakers: Joe Waters, Institute for Child Success, South Carolina
Representative Greg Hughes, Speaker of the House, Utah
[Presentation] |
4:15-4:30 p.m. |
Break |
4:30-5 p.m. |
Closing Thoughts and Reflections
Provide one takeaway or nugget from the day. |
6-8 p.m. |
Reception & Dinner
Le Bouillon - 1017 Howard St. |
Friday, May 20
8-8:30 a.m. |
Breakfast & Networking
Lotus Room |
9-10:45 a.m. |
Tour / Site Visit
Learning Community Center of North Omaha
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10:45-11:45 a.m. |
The Superintendents’ Early Childhood Plan in Omaha
Pre-reading: Plan at a Glance: Superintendents’ Early Childhood Plan
Introduction: Matt Weyer, NCSL
Speakers: Sam Meisels, Buffett Early Childhood Institute
Christine Maxwell, Buffett Early Childhood Institute
Mark Evans, superintendent, Omaha Public Schools
Jim Sutfin, superintendent, Millard Public Schools
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Noon-1 p.m. |
Lunch and Wrap Up
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Second Meeting
The Fellows reconvened with a second meeting in Chicago Aug. 7-8, 2016.

Agenda | Participant List | Speaker Biographies
Sunday, Aug. 7
8-8:30 a.m. |
Breakfast & Networking
W185d, First Floor
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8:30-9 a.m. |
Welcome and Overview of the Day
Introductions: Rochelle Finzel, NCSL
Riverside Police Chief Thomas Q. Weitzel, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, Illinois
[I'm the Guy you Pay Later report by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids]
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9-10 a.m. |
The Power of Play and Helping Young Children Develop SR/EF
Introduction: Robyn Lipkowitz, NCSL
Speaker: Deb Leong, Tools of the Mind, Colorado
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10-10:45 a.m. |
Table Talk / policy conversation with your colleague
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10:45-11:45 a.m. |
Priorities in Early Childhood Development
Introduction: Julie Poppe, NCSL
Speaker: Geoff Nagle, Erikson Institute, Illinois
[Presentation]
[Handout - Louisiana School Readiness Tax Credits]
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11:45 a.m.-Noon |
Break
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Noon-1 p.m. |
Joint Lunch with SPREE Working Group: Institute of Medicine Parent Support Study
Pre-reading: Parenting Matters: Supporting Parents of Children Ages 0-8
Introduction: Matt Weyer, NCSL
Speakers: Iheoma Iruka, Buffett Early Childhood Institute, University of Nebraska
Kim Boller, Mathematica Policy Research, New Jersey
[Presentation]
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1-1:45 p.m. |
Joint Session with SPREE Working Group: Preschool Language Learners
Moderator: Matt Weyer, NCSL
Speaker: Conor Williams, New America, D.C.
[Presentation]
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1:45-2 p.m. |
Break
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2-3 p.m. |
Financing Early Childhood
Introduction: Julie Poppe, NCSL
Speaker: Jonathan Doster, Ounce of Prevention Fund, Illinois
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3-4 p.m. |
Creating Data-Driven Early Childhood Systems to Support Accountability
Introduction: National Conference of State Legislatures
Speaker: Carlise King, Early Childhood Data Collaborative, Maryland
[Presentation]
[Handout - Using Coordinated Data Systems to Guide Early Childhood Education Policies]
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4-4:30 p.m. |
Final Work on Early Learning Plan
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4:30-5 p.m. |
Closing Thoughts from and Reflections
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5:15-7 p.m.
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Cocktail Hour and Reception
MX Bar - Hyatt
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7 p.m. |
Enjoy Dinner on Your Own in Chicago
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Monday, Aug. 8
8-8:30 a.m. |
Breakfast & Networking
W185d, First Floor |
8:30-9 a.m. |
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Update on Early Learning Opportunities
Introduction: Matt Weyer, NCSL
Speaker: Lee Posey, NCSL
[Handout]
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9-10 a.m. |
Integrating Early Learning into School Leaders’ Prep and Professional Development Experiences
Speaker: Steve Tozer, University of Illinois
[Presentation]
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10-10:15 a.m. |
Break
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10:15-11:30 a.m. |
Home Visiting: A Legislative Primer
Introduction: Alison May, NCSL
Speaker: Anna Potere, Ounce of Prevention Fund, Illinois
[Presentation]
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11:30 a.m.-Noon |
Report Out/Closing Thoughts/Future Work
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Webinars
Over the course of the Fellows program two webinars will take place. Each webinar will have an expert speaking about key issues related to early learning.
Webinar 1:
Equity Starts Early: Strategies to Consider in Promoting High-Quality Early Education
Thursday, June 30, at 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT / Noon MT / 11 a.m. PT
This webinar was about the recent Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) report Equity Starts Early: How Chiefs Will Build High Quality Early Education and will include state examples.
Webinar 2:
Linking Social-Emotional Skills in Children to Long-Term Success in Life
Thursday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT / Noon MT / 11 a.m. PT
This webinar will highlight the Johns Hopkins University/Baltimore Education Research Consortium study that measured the social-emotional skills of incoming kindergarten students.
Legislative Corner
As a way to keep all Fellows connected with one another and to highlight the terrific work being done in your state, NCSL staff will periodically highlight a Fellow and the work they are doing.
View other Early Learning Fellows Legislative Corner Posts
Blog Posts
Occasionally the Early Learning Fellows program will be featured in the NCSL Blog and when it is the posts will be shared here.
View other Early Learning Fellows Blog Posts
Additional Resources