Early Childhood Education / Public News Service

Montana classrooms have seen a more than 12% increase in the number of special education students, according to the latest data. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, May 2, 2024

MT disability advocates sue to stop school vouchers

Advocates for the rights of people with disabilities have joined the Montana Quality Education Association in a suit to stop a school voucher bill in …

Among his recommendations for the coming legislative session, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is asking lawmakers to make recommendations about school safety and

TX educators react to Lt. Gov. priorities for next legislative session

Texas Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick has released 57 "interim charges," the topics he wants Senate committees to study in preparation for the 89th …

The 2023 Annie E. Casey Foundation Data Book ranked Arkansas 37th in the nation for education, and said 56% of young children were not in preschool programs to help get them ready for school. (Adobe Stock)

Program gives AR early education workers 'Career Pathways'

The need for child care and early learning is critical, especially in rural Arkansas. One nonprofit is working to fill those gaps by giving providers …

In addition to consolidating the power of Iowa's nine Area Education Agencies at the state level, House Bill 2612 creates a new process for agency accreditation. (Adobe Stock)

IA cuts historical rural school groups

Educators and public school advocates are pushing back on a measure which would consolidate state-funded services that have been an important part of …

A typical New Hampshire child care worker earned roughly $32,500 in 2023 while the federal poverty guideline for a family of four last year was $30,000, according to the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Burnout, low wages leave NH child care centers short staffed

A persistent child care worker shortage across New Hampshire is leaving families with few options. The state is currently short more than 7,000 …

The New Mexico Public Education Department has more than 9,000 educators and administrators enrolled in its Science of Reading training. (lithiumphoto/Adobe Stock)

NM program aims to improve kids' reading skills

In the past four years, the way New Mexico children are taught to read has undergone a major shift. Following passage of a state law in 2019…

Kentucky parents are worried about their kids' educational and social development as well as the safety of their children if they are forced into using lower-cost, lower-quality care, according to a March 2024 survey from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)

As KY child care crisis worsens, advocates highlight career pathways

The shrinking supply of child-care workers continues to impact Kentucky, and advocates say helping more people receive a Child Development Associate …

In Pennsylvania, infants and toddlers qualify for Early Intervention services if they exhibit a 25% or greater developmental delay in one or more key areas of development. (santypan/Adobe Stock)

PA Early Intervention programs vital for child development

A new study highlights the importance of Pennsylvania's Early Intervention program and its services for infants and toddlers at risk of developmental …

More than 400,000 people live in poverty in Arkansas, according to the Center for American Progress. (W.Scott McGill/AdobeStock)<br />

'Day on the Hill' in Arkansas calls for investment in families

Family advocates are at the State Capital for a "Day on the Hill" rally today, to voice their concerns to lawmakers about issues affecting Arkansans' …

From September 2020 through 2021, more than 60 million Americans volunteered a total of more than 4 billion hours. (DC Studio/Adobe Stock)

Volunteers an essential part of NE Community Action Partnerships

April is National Volunteer Month, and Nebraskans rank high nationwide for their willingness to volunteer. In the most recent Census Bureau/…

One in five children in the Magnolia State faces hunger, according to the nonprofit Feeding America. <br />(Adobe Stock)

Mississippi kids will miss out on Summer EBT food program

As summer approaches, thousands of children in Mississippi could go without enough nutritious food when school is out, as the state has opted out of …

Decades of underinvestment in affordable housing, recently cited by outgoing HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge, have dramatically impacted families with children. (Adobe Stock)

Renaissance marks quarter century serving homeless, low-income kids

This month marks the 25th anniversary of the Renaissance Children's Center, which serves low-income families and those experiencing homelessness with …

As of Oct. 2023, the average teacher salary was $68,000 a year, which is 8% less than the average for U.S. workers overall. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

University of Texas El Paso targets teacher shortage

It's estimated that nearly half of all schools in the country don't have enough teachers. To help change that, the University of Texas in El Paso …

A Kentucky bill to ban Broad Based Categorical Eligibility for the federal SNAP program would result in at least 21,400 children losing SNAP statewide and would threaten funding for meals at schools and child care centers, according to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY School districts say SNAP Cuts legislation could worsen student hunger

Kentucky school districts say a proposed bill to tighten restrictions on SNAP participation will lead to an uptick in student hunger. House Bill 367 …

The American Federation of Teachers in Amesbury is calling on the School Committee to support an 8.04% increase to ensure level services for students and retain staff and reject an initial 3.16% proposal, which they say would be

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Proposed Amesbury school budget cuts rally parents, educators

The Amesbury School Committee will hear from educators and parents tonight as they rally to prevent more than $2 million in proposed cuts to their sch…

Although food insecurity can be faced by anyone, Black and Latino children are twice as likely to face hunger because of discrimination based on race. And in 2022, 33% of single-parent families experienced food insecurity. (Piman Khrutmuang/Adobe Stock)

Michigan students get a boost to summer food access

Michigan is planning ahead to make sure kids from lower-income families have enough to eat this summer. The state has opted into a federal food …

Lawmakers this session in Olympia increased the rate for providers who offer infant care. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

WA makes child-care investments, but more needed

Advocates for accessible child care saw wins during Washington state's legislative session this year but still see room for improvement. Lawmakers …

More than 75% of Massachusetts mothers with infants also work. For those who rely on child care facilities, the majority require parents to supply a week's worth of diapers at a time or find alternative care. (Adobe Stock) <br />

MA diaper distribution program helps families make ends meet

Supporters of a federal pilot program to distribute diapers to low-income families in Massachusetts hope to build upon its success. More than 1 …

Although food insecurity can be faced by anyone, Black and Latino children are twice as likely to face hunger. And in 2022, 33% of single-parent families experienced food insecurity. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe Stock)

MO gears up for participation in kids' summer food program

Missouri is planning ahead to make sure kids from lower-income families have enough to eat this summer. The state has opted into a federal food …

The Public Schooling in America 2024 report said

Report touts Illinois' support for public schools

A report released this month by the Network for Public Education ranked Illinois an "A" grade for its overall support of public schools. One …

Arizona is one of only three states offering families 100% eligibility for ESA vouchers, according to a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ doesn't do enough to fund, support public schools

A new report is handing out grades to states for their support of public schools and Arizona gets an "F." The Network for Public Education's "Public …

More than 700 New Hampshire childcare providers remained in operation in 2022 with a capacity to serve more than 44,500 children but staffing vacancies are on the rise. (Adobe Stock)

NH 'Kids on Campus' program boosts retention, offers hands-on learning

You might say "every day is 'bring your child to college day'" at New Hampshire's Manchester Community College. On-campus childcare programs are …

In a national report evaluating states on how much they support public education, North Dakota earned 98 out of a possible 111 points. (Adobe Stock)

ND makes grade in national report evaluating public school support

North Dakota is sometimes swept up in national rhetoric about public schools. However, the state fares well in a new report looking at how much it …

The 2024 Kids Count Data Book serves as a call to action in Indiana. (Adobe Stock)

Report: IN youth making progress despite challenges

The newly released 2024 Kids Count Data Book finds the well-being of Indiana is better this year than last. More than 1.5 million children live in …

Child care programs in Washington state struggle with labor costs to provide services outside of daytime hours. (santypan/Adobe Stock)

WA could increase incentive for after-hours child care

Parents often struggle to secure after-hours child care. Advocates want the Washington state Legislature to increase incentives for businesses to …

Around $330 million in annual federal funding for child care in Kentucky is slated to expire in September, according to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)

Kentucky child-care providers face uncertain future when federal funding expires

Child-care providers in Kentucky are bracing for severe funding cuts when $330 million in annual federal funding expires in September. A recent …

Census data from 2020 included population counts of nearly 1,500 race and ethnicity groups and American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and villages. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Report: MO could do better to ensure children's well-being

A new report examined children's well-being in every state and found in Missouri, the outcomes vary greatly depending on race. In its "Race for …

Did Parson's abortion stance prompt historic family, education funding?

State legislators applauded Missouri Gov. Mike Parson's State of the State address last week - although for very different reasons. The governor's …

About 60% of the nation's students in chronically underfunded districts are in just 10 states, including Georgia. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Report: Georgia K-12 schools 'critically underfunded'

A new report shows Georgia is among the 39 states that "critically underfunds" its K-12 public schools. The report on the state school finance …

About 60% of the nation's students in chronically underfunded districts are in just 10 states, including Alabama. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Alabama schools among 'most underfunded' in the nation

A new report showed Alabama is among 39 states that "critically underfunds" its K-12 public schools. The report on the state school finance systems …

Studies find traditional school voucher programs incentivize private schools to raise tuition, using the new taxpayer dollars as a public subsidy. (Adobe Stock)

Despite lack of data, NH lawmakers push expanded private-school vouchers

New Hampshire's program to subsidize private education with public tax dollars is rapidly expanding, but opponents believe a lack of data on student …

Montana House Bill 393, which would create Educational Savings Accounts for special education students, is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2024. Critics vow to challenge it in court. (Adobe Stock)

MT teachers oppose special-ed voucher program

The union that represents Montana teachers opposes a move to legalize private school vouchers in the state. Educational Savings Accounts, or ESAs…

Eighty-six percent of rural parents cited lack of child care as the main reason they or their partner were not able to work. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Lack of child care in Wyoming threatens viability of rural communities

Child care is an essential component of strong communities throughout the U.S. - but finding a provider is significantly more difficult in rural …

A program that provides mental health consultation for young children is funded by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families. (bernardbodo/Adobe Stock)

WA investment could grow reach of child mental health program

A program in Washington state is helping young kids with challenging behaviors. It's hoping to secure more funding during the legislative session …

The rate of New Mexico high school students not graduating on time was down from 33% a decade ago to 23% in 2019-2020. (Julie/Adobe Stock)

Report: New Mexico's child well-being slowly improving

Child well-being in New Mexico appears to be slowly improving with a marked decline in child poverty. Data from New Mexico Voices for Children found …

Congress is proposing gradually increasing the federal Child Tax Credit to $2,000 per child in 2025. (AI/Adobe Stock)

Report: MD children doing well overall, racial gaps persist

A new report looking at child well-being finds Maryland doing better than most, but racial disparities persist in the state. The Baltimore-based …

Part of the program allows taxpayers who donate to child-care facilities to receive the tax credits. Another portion would issue tax credits to employers who provide child care for their employees.(Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Child care tax credits gain momentum in MO

While Missouri's legislative session has just begun, child-care tax credits are at top of mind with a bipartisan House bill. HB 1488 takes a three-…

The Illinois State Board of Education Literacy Standards indicate fourth graders should be able to determine the main idea of a text, explain how it is supported by key details and summarize the text. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Illinois' child well-being varies widely by race

A new report looks at children's well-being in every state and finds in Illinois, the outcomes vary greatly depending on race. In its Race for …

The National Rural Education Foundation flagged Kentucky's educational outcomes as

Appalachian teachers say 'intense' challenges ahead for education in region

Educators in Appalachian Kentucky said significant school disruption and remote learning during the COVID pandemic combined with the devastating flood…

The Fair Start for Kids Act passed in 2021 invested a $1.1 billion in child care and early learning in Washington state. (Seattle/Adobe Stock)

Report: WA children of color continue to experience inequities

Washington state's kids see disparities in well-being across racial groups. That's according to the Race for Results report from the Annie E…

Chidren of Asian and Pacific Islander ethnicity received the highest national score on the 2024 Race for Results report, 771 out of 1,000, followed by 697 for white children and 612 for children of two or more races. (len4foto/AdobeStock)

Report: Nebraska children of color have less well-being than white peers

On a new report, Nebraska's white children scored high on well-being compared with their peers nationwide - but the same can't be said for the …

A report from The 74 Million showed Bedford Middle School in the Westport School District has the largest enrollment decline in Connecticut, at 40%. (Adobe Stock)

K-12 enrollment declining in Connecticut schools

School enrollment has declined statewide in Connecticut. State education data shows between 2018 and 2023, statewide enrollment was down more than 17…

The Race for Results report groups child well-being indicators into four areas: early childhood, education and early work experiences, family resources and neighborhood context. (Annie E. Casey Foundation Race for Results report)

Report shows Iowa kids of color fare worse than white peers

A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found while children of color in Iowa fare slightly better than their white peers nationally…

Report: CT early childhood education needs improvements

Child advocates feel early childhood education must be a top-of-mind issue for Connecticut lawmakers. A new report found early learning in the state …

Over the past ten years, New Jersey and the nation have seen improvements on six of the 11 indicators of child well-being measured in the 2024 Race for Results report. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

NJ ranks high in child well-being, but racial gaps persist

New Jersey kids score higher than the national average for overall well-being but large racial disparities persist, according to a new study…

Achievement data for fourth grade and eighth grade rural Michigan students experiencing poverty and all rural students ranks in the middle compared to other U.S. states. (ruslanita/Adobe Stock)

Report: Rural Michigan students need school counselors

A new report said Michigan has the lowest professional-to-student ratio of all states and pointed to the particular staffing needs of rural schools…

More than 180,000 rural students attend public pre-K-through-12 schools in Missouri, almost double the rural U.S. average. (Song_about_summer/Adobe Stock)

Where's the money for rural Missouri education?

Nearly half of Missouri's public schools are in rural areas, and they serve more than one in five of the Show-Me State's students. But Missouri …

Advocates say programs that help children should be protected during the upcoming negotiations over the state budget. (Weedezign/Adobestock)

2024 Children’s Report Card shows CA behind in many areas

California's children are doing well - the vast majority have health insurance and access to transitional kindergarten - but the state is far behind i…

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