Have You Heard? 2008

	2008 Have You Heard Archive: 2006 Have You Heard? 2007 Have You Heard?

Date Posted:
December 19, 2008	State-by-State Child Care and Early Education Data (12/2/08)
	State-by-state data pages include information on child care assistance, community-based pre-kindergarten, Head Start program data, infant/toddler initiatives, and state Early Head Start initiatives. Users can search for data by topic or by state.
December 19, 2008	Great Schools: New Online Preschool Locator
	The non-profit parenting web site Great Schools now includes preschools in its online system for identifying and profiling schools in communities across the U.S. Inquiries begin by entering ZIP Codes or choosing cities from the drop-down menu.
December 19, 2008	The Pre-K Pinch: Early Education and the Middle Class (November 2008)
	For middle-class families, who earn too much to qualify for state pre-kindergarten programs, private early education and care is among the most onerous expenses. By providing high-quality, voluntary pre-k to all three and four year olds, policymakers can help these strapped families while enhancing children's school readiness and our nation's human capital. Pre-K Now
December 19, 2008	Investing in Early Education for Future Growth (December 16, 2008)
	This report to the Obama administration makes recommendations for future investments in early education. Among issues addressed are closing the achievement gap, teacher support, language issues and parental involvement. Progressive Policy Institute
December 19, 2008	Preschool Matters (November/December 2008)
	Featured Articles: • British Research Confirms Benefits of Preschool for All: Myth of Fadeout Refuted By Long-Term Positive Effects of High-Quality Pre-K • Federal Pre-K Curriculum Study Shows Few Stand-Outs: Experts Ponder Why Most Curricula Showed Little or No Gains Over Local Practice *Wanted: Guidance on Those A-Words –Assessment and Accountability National Institute for Early Childhood Research
December 19, 2008	When Worlds Collide: Universal preK brings new challenges for public elementary schools (November/December 2008)
	Noted education writer David McKay Wilson documents the challenges universal preschool can pose to public elementary schools in a wide-ranging feature article. Wilson introduces readers to the story through the prism of Boston’s struggle to implement preschool for all and then provides a multi-source national perspective that touches on policy, people and infrastructure issues. Harvard Education Letter
December 19, 2008	The Fiscal Survey of States: December 2008 (December 2008)
	So far in fiscal 2009, 22 states have cut their enacted budgets by $12.1 billion, with another five states forecasting cuts. In addition, 31 states have reported budget gaps totaling $29.7 billion since fiscal 2009 budgets were enacted. National Governors Association and National Association of State Budget Officers
December 19, 2008	The Cost of Doing Nothing: The Economic Impact of Recession-Induced Child Poverty (December 2008)
	The United States is now a year into what many predict will be a very serious recession. Economic turbulence of this type is likely to have far-ranging consequences that are not limited to the immediate future. Recent estimates are that, as a result of the economic downturn, an additional 2.6 to 3.3 million children will fall into poverty. Allowing these children to fall into poverty will prove to be a significant long-term drag on the U.S. economy. In fact, an addition of 3 million children to the ranks of the “poor,” would mean an overall economic loss of at least $1.7 trillion over the lifetime of these children. That amounts to a yearly loss of about 0.27% of GDP, or $35 billion dollars per year. FirstFocus.org
December 12, 2008	Preschool Curriculum: What's in it for Children and Teachers (December 2008)
	A new report suggests that early, age-appropriate instruction in language, literacy, mathematics and science can have significant, long-lasting effects on preschool children's social and cognitive skills. The report synthesizes the best research on how young children learn in those academic domains and discusses the implications for improving preschool education. The report also says that aggressive, expanded instruction in these areas may yield economic benefits by reducing the learning disparities between rich and poor children that predate preschool and escalate through elementary and into middle school. American Federation and Teachers and the Albert Shanker Institute
December 12, 2008	America's Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2008 (July 2008)
	This Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics brief summarizes a detailed report scheduled for publication in 2009. The summary version highlights selected statistics indicating the well-being of children and families. Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics
December 12, 2008	Dual Language Learners in the Early Years: Getting Ready to Succedd in School (November 2008)
	This report examines the growth in the number of young children in this country who speak English as a second language. Since these kids are learning a second language while acquiring their first, an achievement gap persists for years between them and their monolingual English-speaking peers, the report notes. In 2006, nearly one in three children attending Head Start was learning a second language. National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition
December 4, 2008	Sharing Knowledge with Infant-Toddler Teachers and Home Visitors (Fall 2008)
	This series of lessons focuses on early development and quality services. One series is for infant toddler teachers and home visitors; the other for people who provide training. The series for infant toddler teachers and home visitors contains information and opportunities for reflection. The Trainer’s Companion Manual provides additional information and ideas for training activities. Administration for Children and Families
December 4, 2008	Trainer’s Companion Manuals for the Sharing Knowlege Series (Fall 2008)
	This series provides trainers with information on how to teach the content of the Sharing Knowledge series to teachers and home visitors. Designed for orientations and other training workshops, the series offers background materials and learning activities that education supervisors can use for instruction on the various components of the Sharing Knowledge series. Administration for Children and Families
December 4, 2008	Connecting Schools and Family Child Care Homes: Research and Practice Issue Brief (Fall 2008)
	This report looks at how family child care providers can build relationships with schools, in particular 21C schools, to improve their resources and networks in local communities. The School of the 21st Century, Yale University
December 4, 2008	Child Care and Development Block Grant Participation in 2007 Infants and Toddlers in the Child Care andDevelopment Block Grant Program:2007 Update (November 4, 2008)
	Two new fact sheets from CLASP highlight Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) participation in 2007 for the program as a whole and with a spotlight on infants and toddlers. The fact sheets provide information on the ages of children receiving assistance, the types of child care settings used, reasons for families receiving assistance, and state-by-state differences in participation. Center for Law and Social Policy
December 4, 2008	Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Early Education Interventions on Cognitive and Social Development (December 4, 2008)
	Given the current state of research on the efficacy of early childhood interventions, there is both good and bad news. The good news is that a host of original and synthetic studies have found positive effects for a range of outcomes, and this pattern is clearest for outcomes relating to cognitive development. Moreover, many promising variables for program design have been identified and linked to outcomes, though little more can be said of the link than that it is positive. The bad news is that there is much less empirical information available for designing interventions at multiple levels with multiple components. Teacher College Record
December 4, 2008	Who's Caring for the Kids? The Status of the Early Childhood Workforce in Illinois–2008 (November 2008) Executive Summary Full Report
	Regardless of program type, philosophy, or setting, the single most important facet impacting a child's life experience is the quality of adult-child interaction. Classroom teachers and home providers are at the core of the child's experience. The expertise, passion, and commitment they bring to their roles can transform ordinary experiences into memorable moments that enrich a child's life forever. National-Louis University's McCormick Tribune Center for Early Childhood Leadership and the Early Childhood Parenting Collaborative at the University of Illinois
December 4, 2008	Reading First Impact Study Final Report (November 2008)
	Last week the Department of Education released the final report of the Reading First Impact Study, a rigorous evaluation designed to measure the effectiveness of the federal Reading First program, which funds scientifically based literacy programs in kindergarten through third grade… It did not, however, find any evidence that Reading First improved students' reading comprehension. National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance
December 4, 2008	Recession Could Cause Large Increases in Poverty and Push Millions into Deep Poverty (November11, 2008)
	Like previous recessions, the current downturn is likely to cause significant increases both in the number of Americans who are poor and the number living in “deep poverty,” with incomes below half of the poverty line. Because this recession is likely to be deep and the government safety net for very poor families who lack jobs has weakened significantly in recent years, increases in deep poverty in this recession are likely to be severe. There are a series of steps that federal and state policymakers could take to soften the recession’s harshest impacts and limit the extent of the increases in deep poverty, destitution, and homelessness. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
December 4, 2008	A Guide for Families Using NAEYC Standards to Find Quality Programsfor Young Children
	The National Association for the Education of Young Children, a leader in the early education field, explains to parents what quality centers should look like, according to its standards. Catalyst Cleveland
November 21, 2008	What Children Learn in Pre-K (Fall 2008)
	This video from Pre-K Now follows five preschool children, tracking their development and highlighting the importance of high-quality pre-K education. pre[k]now
November 21, 2008	Economic Impact of the Early Care and Education Industry in Georgia (Fall 2008)
	This report quantifies the short-term economic impact of the early care and education industry in the state of Georgia and also provides a summary of current research on the long-term benefits of early education. Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia
November 21, 2008	Assessing Child-Care Quality How Well Does Colorado’s Qualistar Quality Rating and Improvement System Work? (Fall 2008)
	This research brief provides a summary of research conducted to assess the validity of Colorado's Qualistar Early Learning Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Rand Corpoaration
November 21, 2008	Parents' Reports of the School Readiness of Young Children from the National Household Education Surveys Program of 2007 (August 2008)
	This report presents findings on young children's preparedness for school, as based on reports by their parents from the School Readiness Survey of the 2007 National Household Education Surveys Program. National Center for Educational Statistics
November 21, 2008	Building “Bob”: A Project Exploring the Human Body at Western Illinois University Preschool Center (Fall 2008)
	When the children at Western Illinois University Preschool Center embarked on a study of human bodies, they decided to build a life-size model of a body, organ by organ from the inside out, to represent some of the things they were learning. This article describes the building of "Bob," the human body model, highlighting the children's problem solving at various points in the construction process. The article also explains other activities that the class engaged in during the three phases of project work. The project culminated in the creation of a classroom book, written and illustrated by all of the children, which could be shared with families and visitors to the classroom. Early Childhood Reserch and Practice
November 21, 2008	At the Zoo: Kindergartners Reinvent a Dramatic Play Area (Fall 2008)
	In a South Dakota early childhood program, children and adults in the kindergarten classroom collaborated to build a “classroom zoo” in support of the children’s pretend play. Creation of the zoo incorporated information about animals and zoos that the children and their families and teachers located in secondary sources such as nonfiction books and the Web site of the San Diego Zoo. Zoo-related activities culminated in a Grand Opening to which families and other classrooms in the center were invited. Early Childhood Reserch and Practice
November 21, 2008	"Fixing Puppets So They Can Talk": Puppets and Puppet Making in a Classroom of Preschoolers with Special Needs (Fall 2008)
	This article describes the ways in which puppets were used in two preschool classes of 3- to 5-year-old children with special needs in Indianapolis, Indiana. During their study of puppets, the children created topic webs, used and created different types of puppets, listened to guest experts, and participated in a workshop conducted by nationally renowned puppeteers. The article concludes with teacher reflections and the Indiana Foundations for Young Children that were addressed by the puppet activities. Early Childhood Reserch and Practice
November 21, 2008	Introduction to the Special Section on Dramatic Play (Fall 2008)
	This special section of Early Childhood Research and Practice features two practitioner perspectives on children’s involvement in dramatic play. Dramatic play, socio-dramatic play, symbolic play, pretend play—these varied terms describe interrelated phenomena well known to those who work with young children. Early Childhood Reserch and Practice
November 21, 2008	A Test of a Measure for Assessing Teachers' Judgments about Social Interaction Practices in the Preschool (Fall 2008)
	The primary purpose of this article is to describe the development and utility of the Social Interaction Practices for the Preschool Years (SIPPY) questionnaire. The SIPPY is a tool designed to assess teachers’ judgments of the acceptability and feasibility, as well as their current use, of literature-supported strategies for promoting the development of young children's social competence in early childhood classrooms. Early Childhood Reserch and Practice
November 21, 2008	Analyzing the Impact of Gender on Depictions of Touch in Early Childhood Textbooks (Fall 2008)
	Early childhood contexts often enact “common-sense identities” that create and sustain the notion that teachers of young children are expressly female and heterosexual. It has also been argued that touch is a key difference between men and women in early childhood classrooms. This exploratory study examined 10 early childhood textbooks to determine whether images depicting touch enacted these common-sense notions. To investigate whether implicit gendered messages existed within the texts, images displaying touch between teachers and children were grouped according to three main recurrent themes: teacher touching child, child touching teacher, and mutually negotiated contact. Findings indicated that, although the images of male teachers were positive, troubling patterns did emerge concerning the type and nature of men’s contact with children. These patterns worked to reaffirm larger patriarchal structures at play in schools and society while simultaneously painting women as more suitable to nurture young children. Furthermore, the texts provided clear messages to beginning teachers that acceptable types of touch were delineated by gender. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings for early childhood preservice teacher education. Early Childhood Reserch and Practice
November 21, 2008	Coaching as Part of a Pilot Quality Rating Scale Initiative: Challenges to—and Supports for—the Change-Making Process (Fall 2008)
	This article reports on a study focusing on the QRS consulting process, as well as some of the factors that present challenges to that process. The article concludes with recommendations for addressing these issues and in turn enhancing the QRS coaching process. Early Childhood Reserch and Practice
November 21, 2008	Effect of Parents' Wartime Deployment on the Behavior of Young Children in Military Familiest (November 2008)
	A study of preschool-age children in child care facilities at a Marine base found that those with a parent deployed overseas for war were more likely to show aggression than other young children in military families who did not have a parent deployed. While children 3 to 5 years old reacted to a parent's deployment with increased aggression, children between 11⁄2 and 3 did not, prompting speculation about the mothers' role as the main attachment figure during this period of children's development. The preponderance of deployed parents was men. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
November 14, 2008	Influence the Future of Early Childhood Inclusion; Provide Feedback on DRAFT National Position Statement (October 2008)
	Help shape the future of early childhood inclusion. The Division of Early Childhood and the National Association for the Education of Young Children are seeking feedback on a joint position statement on early childhood inclusion. The draft statement and a survey are available online. FPG Child Development Institute
November 14, 2008	Workforce Designs: A Policy Blueprint for State Early Childhood Professional Development Systems (October 2008) 6.3 MB download
	This report provide resources to states looking to shore up their systems for early childhood workers. The report presents principles and policy areas aimed at developing and retaining effective, diverse, and adequately compensated early childhood professionals. The four “Principles for Policy Making” are: 1) integration; 2) quality assurance; 3) diversity, inclusion, and access; and 4) compensation parity. The six “Essential Policy Areas” that states should consider are: 1) professional standards, 2) career pathways, 3) articulation, 4) advisory structure, 5) data, and 6) financing. National Association for the Education of Young Children
November 14, 2008	Child Care Assistance in 2006: Insufficient Investments (November 3, 2008)
	This policy brief shows that total spending on child care assistance increased only slightly in 2006. The brief analyzes 2006 expenditure data released in October 2008 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Among the report’s findings, total child care spending (including federal and state CCDBG and TANF-related funds) increased by approximately 2 percent from $11.7 billion in 2005 to almost $12.0 billion in 2006. Center for Law and Social Policy
November 14, 2008	Small is Beautiful: Staff-Child Ratios and Group Size in Early Care and Education (Fall 2008)
	This report reviews past research on staff-child ratios and group size as key indicators of quality in early care and education programs. The brief summarizes findings from a number of major studies and reports and highlights the importance of setting appropriate group ratios and size to improve the quality care and child outcomes. Wisconsin Council on Children and Families
November 14, 2008	Getting Ready: Curriculum Elements for Early Learning (Fall 2008)
	This report reviews past research on the elements necessary for a high-quality early learning curriculum. Research on brain development has shown that a child’s cognitive and social-emotional foundations are established by age five. The brief examines the curriculum or curriculum-related requirements of major early care and education programs, such as Head Start and written outlines of activities for child care centers. Wisconsin Council on Children and Families
November 14, 2008	Infants and Toddlers in Child Care (October 10, 2008)
	This brief makes policy recommendations to create supports for, and expand access to, quality child care for infants and toddlers, focusing on the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), tax policy, and appropriations. The brief also summarizes research on the importance of quality child care. Center for Law and Social Policy and Zero to Three
November 14, 2008	Basic Facts about Low-Income Children Birth to Age 3 (October 2008) Basic Facts About Low-Income Children Birth to Age 6 Basic Facts About Low-Income Children Birth to Age 18
	The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) released several fact sheets that present 2007 data on low-income children. The fact sheets are broken down into three age groups: birth to age 3, birth to age 6, and birth to age 18. National Center for Children in Poverty
November 14, 2008	Lessons Learned from the Qualistar Rating and Improvement System RAND Validation Study (October 2008)
	In this report, Qualistar Early Learning offers lessons for those interested in developing QRIS evaluations as well as the key learnings that Qualistar derived from the RAND Validation Study. In addition, the implications for each of the five indicators included in the Qualistar Rating are outlined. Qualistar Eraly Learning
November 14, 2008	America's Vanishing Potential: The Case for PreK-3rd Education (October 2008)
	An analysis of U.S. government statistics by the Foundation for Child Development (FCD) shows that by the Fourth Grade, less than one-third of all American children are reading at or above grade level. The full report and graphics on the reading levels of all American children, and American children by racial/ethnic groups are available. Foundation for Child Development
November 14, 2008	Predictive Validity and Early Predictors of Peer-Victimization Trajectories in Preschool (October 2008)
	A Canadian study has found that victims of bullies share traits like aggressiveness in early childhood, overly stern parents, and low socioeconomic status. Dr. Mara Brendgen and colleagues divided children into three categories — low, moderate, or chronic levels of victimhood. The chronic victims were mostly boys. National Center for Educational Evaluation and Regional Assistance
November 14, 2008	Making Friends: Assisting Children’s Early Relationships (September 2008)
	Suggestions for ways parents and teachers can identify and foster young friendships in children with and without disabilities. FPG Snapshot
November 14, 2008	Role, Relevance, Reinvention: Higher education in the Field of Early Care and Education (September 2008)
	This report is the product of a call by eight national organizations for reinvention of higher education programs for professionals working with children from birth to age 5. Author Valora Washington, president of the CAYL Institute, illustrates what can be achieved when policymakers, constituents, and education leaders work together to improve teacher education and provides illustrations from states like New Jersey and New Mexico.
November 14, 2008	A Study of Classroom Literacy Interventions and Outcomes in Even Start (September 2008)
	The report presents findings from the 2-year implementation of research-based, literacy-focused preschool and parenting education curricula in 120 Even Start Family Literacy projects. The Classroom Literacy Interventions and Outcomes (CLIO) study examined whether the CLIO preschool and parenting education curricula are more effective than existing Even Start instructional services and the extent to which the CLIO parenting education curricula add value to the CLIO preschool curricula. The evaluation found that the CLIO curricula had statistically significant, positive impacts on some of the hypothesized precursors to the development of children’s early literacy skills, including instructional supports for literacy, child social competence, and parenting skills; but did not have statistically significant impacts on the child language development and literacy outcomes. The evaluation also found that the CLIO parenting curricula did not significantly add value to the CLIO preschool curricula with respect to child outcomes. Archives of General Psychiatry
November 14, 2008	Parents’ Reports of the School Readiness of Young Children (August 2008)
	The report provides data on the kindergarten readiness of children, ages 3 to 6, using results from a parent-reported survey. In total, 2,633 survey interviews were conducted between January and May 2007, representing a population of 8.7 million children. The report looks at participation rates in preschool or other center-based early care and parents’ perception of how ready children were for kindergarten. National Center for Education Statistics
November 14, 2008	Health Insurance and Shared Services Provision for Family Child Care Providers (June 2008)
	This report looks at how to improve health insurance services and other benefits for the low-wage family child care workforce. The report identifies best practice models for providing health insurance and other shared services among family child care providers to reduce costs and improve business operations. Wisconsin Early Childhood Association
October 30, 2008	CLASP Federal Policy Recommendations for 2009 and Beyond (October 16, 2008)
	CLASP has developed an extensive federal policy agenda for the next President and Congress directed at improving the lives of low income people. The detailed agenda makes recommendations for changes in policy at all levels of the federal government: the White House, Federal departments and agencies, the budget and appropriations’ process, and the law-making process in Congress. This publication provides an overview of our agenda organized into eleven key recommendations. One recommendation is to improve child care by creating a guarantee for child care for all families at or below 200 percent of poverty and including substantial new funds to help states improve the quality of child care and to removebarriers to access for underserved families. The Center for Law and Social Policy
October 30, 2008	Getting Reasonable About the Evidence for Quality Pre-k (October 30, 2008)
	Fresh off recent anti-universal pre-k op-eds by Reason’s Shikha Dalmia and Lisa Snell, the libertarian think tank/magazine has now produced a snazzy new mini-documentary to make the case against universal pre-k. We’ve already addressed many of their arguments elsewhere, but the video offers some new angles that deserve mention: The Early Ed Watch Blog
October 24, 2008	Votes Count: Leegislative Action on Pre-K Fiscal Year 2009 (September 2008)
	In spite of worsening economic conditions across the country, the majority of states stood firm in their commitment to investing in pre-kindergarten programs, according to "Votes Count: Legislative Action on Pre-K Fiscal Year 2009," a state-by-state analysis of pre-k funding conducted by Pre-K Now with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts. This year's "Votes Count" also unveils a new list of the places families would have the best and worst chances of enrolling their children in a high-quality, state-funded pre-k program; ten states make the notable lists. pre[k]now
October 17, 2008	America's Health Starts With Healthy Children: How Do States Compare? (Octdober 2008)
	While it's well-known that children born to poor and uneducated parents are more likely to suffer poor health, it is not common knowledge that substantial health gaps exist between children from middle-income families and the children of the wealthy. The authors document these disparities and say they are so entrenched in areas like eating habits that a major expansion in health care alone would not close the gaps. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America
October 17, 2008	The Damage Is Just Beginning Sales and Property Taxes Weaken; Sharp Drop in Income Taxes Appears Near-Certain (Octdober 2008)
	Last quarter’s Revenue Report cautioned that “Revenues may be relatively strong during the April-June quarter, but positive cash flows will largely reflect tax payments based on 2007 activity. Such strength is likely to dissipate after June. The underlying trend for states is negative; budget cuts and other gap-closing measures likely loom ahead. Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government
October 10, 2008	Workforce Development, Welfare Reform, and Child Well-Being (August 2008)
	The paper examines whether policies encouraging family self-sufficiency can be improved to increase both parents' income and their children's school success. The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
October 10, 2008	Child-Care Quality Rating and Improvement Systems in Five Pioneer States Implementation Issues and Lessons Learned (October 2008)
	This report looks at the design and implementation of Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) in Oklahoma, Colorado, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The selected states represent diverse geographic locations and population sizes. The study observes that all the states integrated two key measures of quality into their systems: staff training and education and classroom or learning environment. However, the states differed on their inclusion of other quality indicators. Rand Corporation
October 10, 2008	Stable, Quality Subsidy Policy: Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care Research-Based Rationale (September 2008)
	This rationale presents research on state child care subsidy systems and how states can use subsidy policy to promote stable, quality care for babies and toddlers. Center for Law and Social Policy
October 10, 2008	Build Supply of Quality Care: Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care Research-Based Rationale (September 2008)
	This rationale presents research on the current supply and quality of child care for babies and toddlers across all care settings. Center for Law and Social Policy
October 10, 2008	Supporting a Diverse and Culturally Competent Workforce: Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care Research-Based Rationale (September 2008)
	This rationale presents research on babies' and toddlers' cultural identity and language skills as part of healthy development and how a diverse and culturally competent child care workforce can support children's development. Center for Law and Social Policy
October 10, 2008	Basic Facts about Low-Income Children: Birth to Age 3 (October 2008)
	After a decade of decline, the proportion of children under age 3 living in low-income families is rising again, a trend that began in 2000. Between 2000 and 2007, the number of children of all ages who were poor increased by 15%. During the same period, the number of infants and toddlers who were poor increased by 22%. National Center for Children in Poverty
October 3, 2008	Quality Rating Systems: A Key Topic Resource List (July 2008)
	A compilation of selected Research Connections resources focused on the design, implementation, and evaluation of Quality Rating Systems (QRS) and Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) in child care and after school settings. Child Care and Early Education Research Connections
October 3, 2008	Demographics of Family, Friend, and Neighbor Child Care in the United States (August 2008)
	This nationwide annual analysis compares child care assistance policies in 2008 to 2007 and 2001 in four policy areas: income eligibility, waiting lists for assistance, copayment requirements and reimbursement rates for providers. Some states have made progress since 2007, but most states continue to be behind where they were in 2001. The report reveals that states continue to fall short of providing low-income parents the support they need to obtain good-quality child care, despite modest gains in some areas. National Women's Law Center
October 3, 2008	State Child Care Assistance Policies 2008: Too Little Progress for Children and Families (September 2008)
	This nationwide annual analysis compares child care assistance policies in 2008 to 2007 and 2001 in four policy areas: income eligibility, waiting lists for assistance, copayment requirements and reimbursement rates for providers. Some states have made progress since 2007, but most states continue to be behind where they were in 2001. The report reveals that states continue to fall short of providing low-income parents the support they need to obtain good-quality child care, despite modest gains in some areas. National Women's Law Center
October 3, 2008	Options for Improving the Military Child Care System (September 2008) Summary/ Full Version/Research Brief
	The Department of Defense (DoD) operates the largest employer-sponsored system of high-quality child care in the country. As an employer-sponsored benefit, this system should promote the goals of recruitment, retention, and readiness. But despite the large subsidy DoD provides for military child care (MCC), such goals have not been a key consideration in its design or operation. The present study re-examined data from previous RAND MCC studies of child care cost and demand to assess whether MCC is serving the needs of the military and what changes should be made to improve the system's ability to meet employer goals as well as family needs. Rand Corporation
September 26, 2008	Protecting Children during U.S. Emergencies: How safe are our schools and day-care centers when disaster strikes?
	New research commissioned by Save the Children has found that most states have not taken the necessary steps to ensure that thousands of child-care facilities are prepared to respond to the needs of children in the event of emergencies such as tornados, earthquakes or industrial accidents, which can strike during school hours. Save the Children
September 26, 2008	Eight National Institutions Call for Reinvention of Higher Education Programs for Professionals Working with Children from Birth to Age Five
	Research has continually shown that in order for children to have exceptional, high quality early care and education, they must have teachers and staff with specialized knowledge, skill, and experience. In a newly released paper, eight national organizations request that every college president address this by asking two questions: What is the current state of our early care and education programs? How can we make them better?. McCormick Tribune Center for Early Childhood Leadership
September 26, 2008	From Policy to Practice: Learning from Center Directors in New Jersey's Mixe Delivery Abbott Progam (Fall 2008)
	In an effort to close the achievement gap, the Supreme Court of New Jersey mandated in 1998 that all disadvantaged 3- and 4-year-olds in the state would be offered high-quality preschool education. Since then, New Jersey's Abbott Preschool Program has demonstrated that privately run preschool classrooms participating in the program have improved in quality and have become comparable to classrooms run by school districts. Further, children in both types of Abbott classrooms demonstrated gains through kindergarten in their school readiness skills. Research Notes
September 19, 2008	Research Brief #1: State Pre-Kindergarten (September 2008)
	This brief summarizes the research on state-funded preschool education, addresses its significance and efficacy, and addresses legislation introduced at the federal level to assist the states in expanding pre-K programs. The Brookings Institution
September 19, 2008	New Evidence on the Monetary Value of Saving a High Risk Youth (December 2007)
	Support for rehabilitation programs, especially early childhood prevention programs, are a key area of interest among academics and policymakers alike, largely because of the observation in longitudinal studies of crime and delinquency showing the strong relationship between prior and future behavior. Across multiple data sources collected at different time periods and throughout the world, a consistent finding indicates that antisocial and deviant behavior that emerges early in the life course tends to continue into childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, of course in different manifestations.
September 19, 2008	Big Ideas for Children: Investing in Our Nation's Future (September 2008)
	This new book from the child advocacy group First Focus brings together the work of some of the leading figures in the early childhood field, including James Heckman, University of Chicago; Isabell Sawhill, The Brookings Institution; and David Kirp, University of California. First Focus
September 19, 2008	Preschool Education and Its Lasting Effects: Research and Policy Implications (September 2008)
	NIEER Director Steve Barnett reviews the major research on short- and long-term effects of preschool education, evaluates the studies, and discusses the finding. Education and the Public Interest Center & Education Policy Research Unit
September 19, 2008	The New Retrenchment: Social Welfare Spending, 1977-2006 (September 15, 2008)
	A new report documents a retrenchment in spending by state and local governments on social welfare, including child care that contrasts with the increases that took place from the mid-1990s to the early years of this decade. Since 2002 social welfare spending has been outpaced by spending for medical assistance. The author say given the current economic downturn, states are likely to see further contractions in non-health spending levels. Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government
September 12, 2008	Economic Impacts of the Early Childhood Education Indusry in Georgia (September 2008)
	Researchers found that Georgia's early education and childcare sector is a powerful economic engine, bringing in some $2.4 billion in gross receipts annually across the industry. The sector also has indirect economic impacts that lead to expansion in other, related industries--such as food services, transportation, and manufacturing, for a total $4.1 billion impact on Georgia's economy. Child Policy Partnership
September 12, 2008	Impacts of Early Childhood Programs (September 2008)
	Child and family impacts for these five programs – State Pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Model Early Childhood Programs, and Nurse Home Visiting – are summarized in Table 1 below. As shown in the table, all five early childhood education programs have had positive impacts on children’s cognitive skills and/or school outcomes, with the largest effects reported from some state pre-K programs and the model center-based programs. Most early childhood interventions also have had positive impacts on children’s emotional and behavioral outcomes, including long-term reductions in criminal behavior. The Brookings Institution
September 5, 2008	Parents And The High Price of Child Care: 2008 Update (June 2008)
	The report provides state-by-state data on the average costs of child care for infants and 4-year-olds in center-based care and family child care. Overall, the report found that child care remains expensive for families, particularly single-parent families. The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies
September 5, 2008	Getting Over the Slump: Innovation Strategies to Promote Children's Learning (June, 2008)
	In this report, Arizona State University professor James Paul Gee proposes a new policy framework for using digital technologies and different assessment techniques to avoid the "fourth-grade reading slump." Gee examines how conventional and "new" literacy strategies can converge with emerging media to produce a new learning equation. the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Seasame Workshop
August 29, 2008	State Initiatives to Expand on Early Head Start (August 14, 2008)
	CLASP and ZERO TO THREE conducted in-depth interviews with 10 states taking actions to build on Early Head Start. These individual profiles of state initiatives include data on the approaches used to build on Early Head Start, the state program, funding and supports, governance and coordination, and monitoring and evaluation. See also Building on the Promise: State Initiatives to Expand Access to Early Head Start for Young Children and Their Families for an analysis of all 20 states building on Early Head Start and recommendations for states. Center for Law and Social Policy
August 29, 2008	Family Child Care Ratios and Group Sizes: Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care Research-Based Rationale (August, 2008)
	This rationale presents research on the effects of ratios and groups sizes on babies in family child care. As part of the Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project, this rationale supports the Policy Framework’s Recommendation #7: Ensure babies and toddlers in family child care are in small groups with sufficient numbers of providers. Center for Law and Social Policy
August 29, 2008	Continuity of Care: Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care Research-Based Rationale (August, 2008)
	This rationale presents research on attachment relationships and stable care for babies. As part of the Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project, this rationale supports the Policy Framework’s Recommendation #3: Support continuous relationships between providers and caregivers and the children they care for, from when they enter child care to age three. Center for Law and Social Policy
August 29, 2008	Center Ratios and Group Sizes: Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care Research-Based Rationale (August, 2008)
	The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, and National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care collaborated to develop national health and safety performance standards called Caring for Our Children to help state licensing agencies. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation requirements include recommended ratio provisions. Center for Law and Social Policy
August 22, 2008	Music Eases Transitions and Encourages Learning (August, 2008)
	Music is a natural way for children to explore the world and to interact with their social environment. It can motivate and encourage young children’s learning and development during daily transitions and routines. Below are several resources on incorporating music into young children’s routines. FPG Child Development Institute
August 22, 2008	After Abuse: Early Intervention Services for Infants and Toddlers (August, 2008)
	By law each state is required to ensure that all substantiated cases of maltreated infants and toddlers are referred to Part C early intervention services. In reality, many children may not be receiving the child development services they need. FPG Child Development Institute
August 18, 2008	Too young to leave the nest? The effects of school starting age (June 21, 2008)
	For this study, three economists examined the effects of school starting ages using a large sample from the Norwegian army. They found that higher school starting age leads to lower earnings until about age 30. After about age 30, the estimates for earnings become close to zero and are almost always statistically insignificant. VOX
August 18, 2008	"Who's the Boss?" Young Children's Power and Influence in an Early Childhood Classroom (Spring 2008)
	This paper explores how teachers may inadvertently empower some children while disenfranchising others in the classroom. Teachers' responses to the most powerful children in their classroom showed that in order to empower all children, sometimes it was necessary to disempower some children. Observations demonstrate ways teachers often ignore this aspect of power dynamics, missing opportunities to raise critical questions about their own and children's behaviors. The study deconstructs some taken-for-granted early childhood practices. Early Childhood Research and Practice
August 12, 2008	Summary of the Child Development and Care Program Performance Audit (August 11, 2008)
	The following information was compiled after a review of the findings of the recent Auditor General's report on the Child Development and Care Program in the Department of Human Services. Michigan House Fiscal Agency
August 12, 2008	Ensuring Quality Care for Low-Income Babies Contracting Directly with Providers to Expand and Improve Infant and Toddler Care (June 30, 2008)
	The supply of high-quality infant and toddler child care is limited, particularly for low-income families. While most states provide child care assistance through vouchers or certificates, states have the option of contracting directly with providers to expand infant/toddler care for low-income families. Based on interviews with state policymakers, this paper explains how states are using contracts to create or stabilize care in particular communities or for specific populations; to create child care slots meeting quality standards important for infants and toddlers; to extend the day for infants and toddlers served in Early Head Start; and to improve the quality of infant/toddler family child care. Center for Law and Social Policy
August 12, 2008	Child Well-Being Index (CWI) 2008 Report (July, 2008)
	This report notd that the quality of life of American children has been stalled since 2002.  The 2008 CWI also compared the well-being of teenagers in the first part of this decade (2003-2005) with the well-being of teenagers in the early years of the study (1975-1977).  The teenagers of 1975-1977 are likely to include many who are now the parents of teenagers. Foundation for Child Development
August 12, 2008	Education Policy in the Next Administration (July 24, 2008)
	Education advisers to presumptive Presidential nominees, Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama, were invited to speak about education policy.The discussion focused on how federal policies could improve educational and teacher quality.  The forum also featured the first in-depth discussion of early education issues by education advisers from both campaigns Foundation for Child Development (FCD) and the New America Foundation
August 12, 2008	Partnering with the Private and Philanthropic Sectors: A Governor's Guide to Investing in Early Childhood (Summer, 2008)
	This report from the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices describes the nature and activities of early education public-private partnerships, aiming to help governors and policymakers understand the roles they will play if they pursue such partnerships. National Governors Association
August 12, 2008	Effects of Preschool Curriculum Programs on School Readiness: Report from the Preschool Curriculum Evaluation Research Initiative (July, 2008)
	This final report of the Preschool Curriculum Evaluation Research initiative has been released by the Institute of Education Sciences. It contains findings for the impact of each of 14 preschool curricula on five student-level outcomes and six classroom-level outcomes. Ten curricula show no statistically significant impacts on any of the student-level measures while five show significant impacts on some measures. National Center for Educational Research
August 12, 2008	Professional Development: The Landscape of Opportunity in Early Care and Education (Summer, 2008)
	In its position statement on professional development, NAEYC reinforces the prevailing wisdom of the field that early childhood staff should have ongoing training to improve their knowledge and practice. While state licensing standards interpret this recommendation differently, leaders in the field are in staunch agreement that professional development is an essential component of administering high-quality programs.McCormick Tribune Center for Early Childhood Leadership, National-Louis University
August 8, 2008	Infants and Toddlers in the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program (August 4, 2008)
	CCDBG is the primary source of federal funding for child care subsidies for low-income working families and funds to improve child care quality. CCDBG provides child care assistance to children from birth to age 13. In fiscal year 2008, CCDBG provided $5 billion in federal funding, with states expected to contribute an additional $2 billion to draw down all federal funds. This fact sheet highlights key information about infants and toddlers and CCDBG. Center for Law and Social Policy
July 17, 2008	National Survey – Likely General Election Voters (June 17, 2008)
	To determine public opinion on the presidential election and issues facing children and families, the Every Child Matters Education Fund commissioned a nationwide telephone survey of 800 registered voters, representing a crosssection of the voting public, who say they are likely to vote in the 2008 general election. See additional data analysis. Every Child Matters
July 17, 2008	State Advisory Councils: Creating Systems of Early Education and Care (June 17, 2008)
	This policy brief outlines the key components of successful state early learning councils. It provides an overview of the language in the new Head Start Act that creates the Early Learning Councils and provides a set of lessons learned from states that have created similar councils. The brief also provides a set of appendices with resources for policymakers who are just beginning the process of establishing early learning councils. Pre-K Now
July 17, 2008	State Indicators for Early Childhood (July 2008)
	Several State Early Childhood Comprehensive System (ECCS) Initiatives are using a variety of risk, process, and outcome measures to examine child well-being and program performance, as they work to implement results-based accountability in their early childhood systems. This Short Take reviews existing indicators from Title V Maternal and Child Health Programs, the Institute of Medicine/National Academy of Sciences, the School Readiness Indicators Project Measures, and other indicators that ECCS grantees are currently using. Project THRIVE at the National Center for Children in Poverty
July 17, 2008	2008 KIDS COUNT data book (July 2008)
	The Annie E. Casey Foundation released the 2008 KIDS COUNT data book, which compiles comprehensive information on the well-being of children in the U.S. The data book presents national and state-by-state profiles of children from infants to teenagers and identifies trends in their growth and development. The data book uses 10 key indicators to assess and rank all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on the quality of children’s conditions. The KIDS COUNT Web site includes a data center with interactive tables with state specific information on early childhood include preschool enrollment, percent of low-birthweight babies, and infant mortality rate. Annie E. Casey Foundation's
July 17, 2008	Breaking Down Barriers: Immigrant Families and Early Childhood Education in New York City (May 2008) You will need to enter your name and email address
	This report relates the unique experiences of Bangladeshi, Chinese, Dominican, Haitian, Korean, and Russian parents in accessing early care and education. Parents in the study expressed their preferences for child care arrangements for their young children, but often the care they were seeking was inaccessible or unavailable. The report finds that immigrant families face multiple barriers that prevent access to programs in New York City, such as universal pre-kindergarten, Head Start, and child care subsidies. Barriers include insufficient translation of materials, inadequate outreach targeted to immigrant communities, lack of affordable child care, and an ineffective response on the part of the city government to respond to the needs of immigrant families. For example, the city’s Child Care Resource and Referral Hotline only offers services in English, Spanish, and Chinese—leaving out other language groups. Coalition for Asian American Children and Families
July 17, 2008	Child Care Usage Among Low-Income Families: Variations Across States (June 2008)
	his Research Brief provides new estimates to show the variation across the 50 states in the use of nonparental child care, the types of child care used, and parents’ experiences with child care problems that interfere with their work schedules. The brief concludes with a discussion of possible reasons for these patterns across states. Child Trends
July 17, 2008	Promoting a Pre-K to Three Vision for Early Learning (July 2008)
	This issue focuses on how state leaders can increase the quality of instruction from prekindergarten through third grade, and how states can better coordinate their early education systems to enable young children to sustain their learning gains throughout the prek-3rd grade years. National Association of School Boards of Education
July 11, 2008	State Profiles: 2006 Head Start Program Information Report (PIR) Data (July 2008)
	These individual state profiles analyze 2006 Head Start PIR data, which all Head Start programs are required to report to the federal government on an annual basis. Data include information on programs, participants, families, and staff for all Head Start programs in each state, including preschool, Early Head Start, American Indian and Alaskan Native, and Migrant Head Start.Center for Law and Social Policy
July 11, 2008	The Abbott Preschool Program Longitudinal Effects Study: Interim Report (June 2008)
	This report discusses the results of a rigorous study of New Jersey's Abbott Preschool Program. The study seeks to determine if the learning gains from the state prekindergarten program found in earlier research at kindergarten entry continued throughout the kindergarten year and assess the quality of Abbott