Ashley Hopkinson
Ashley Hopkinson reported on early education for EdSource until December 2018. Ashley earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism from Auburn University while writing for The Birmingham News and The Gadsden Times. Several years later, she earned a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of California at Berkeley, where she was an instructor in the UC Berkeley Film and Media Department and a senior reporter and producer for Richmond Confidential, a hyperlocal news site in the Bay Area. Ashley has also worked for The Associated Press Bureau in Atlanta and The Times-Picayune in New Orleans. Prior to joining Ed Source, Ashley was the Storytelling Editor for The Desert Sun in Palm Springs.
All articles by Ashley Hopkinson
Voter initiative opens door to expansion of popular dual language immersion programs
The new law that governs language instruction in California is making way for districts to expand bilingual programs.
Ashley Hopkinson
August 24, 2017
Quick Guide: Understanding transitional kindergarten in California
Transitional kindergarten was introduced after a 2010 California law changed the cutoff birth date for kindergarten entry from Dec. 2 to Sept. 1.
Ashley Hopkinson
August 17, 2017
Summer program teaches key skills to prepare children for kindergarten
A summer program in Oakland aims to make sure that kindergarten students are ready to learn.
Ashley Hopkinson
July 31, 2017
Home nursing visits provide wide-ranging benefits for mothers, young children
The Nurse-Family Partnership program improved parenting skills and early childhood development, a new study finds.
Ashley Hopkinson
July 24, 2017
New funds available to train bilingual teachers in California
An advocacy group for English learners says the $5 million in new state money to train more bilingual teachers is a "first step," and warns that Proposition 58 has worsened a severe shortage of bilingual teachers.
Ashley Hopkinson
July 11, 2017
Transitional kindergarten boosts school readiness in math, reading
Researchers found kindergartners who had attended transitional kindergarten are better prepared than those who had attended preschool or had not been in a formal preschool program.
Ashley Hopkinson
June 28, 2017
California to raise income limits to allow more children to qualify for subsidized child care
California has not increased its income eligibility limit for subsidized child care since the 2007-08 fiscal year.
Ashley Hopkinson
June 18, 2017
Through observation and play, toddlers take on science
Through a community partnership, science specialists at the Lawrence Hall of Science are bringing free, play-based science lessons to playgroups for low-income families across the Bay Area.
Ashley Hopkinson
June 7, 2017
Few programs prepared to help traumatized infants and toddlers, report finds
Despite the prevalence of childhood trauma, few early education programs are prepared to help the more than 35 million children in the country who have experienced trauma, researchers say.
Ashley Hopkinson
May 31, 2017
Transitional kindergarten helps prepare English learners for school, study finds
English learners who attend transitional kindergarten enter kindergarten with stronger literacy and math skills, according to a recent American Institutes for Research study.
Ashley Hopkinson
May 18, 2017
Gov. Brown's revised budget plan draws mixed response from early education advocates
While early education advocates say they appreciate Gov. Jerry Brown keeping last year’s promise to increase preschool funding, they lamented that the May budget revision didn’t include additional money and changes that would allow more low-income families to qualify for subsidized child care.
Ashley Hopkinson
May 16, 2017
Some smaller districts enroll younger 4-year-olds in early kindergarten
The “transitional kindergarten” program is for 4-year-olds who turn 5 after Sept. 1, the cutoff date for enrolling in regular kindergarten, and before Dec. 3. Some districts enroll even younger 4-year-olds.
Ashley Hopkinson
May 9, 2017
High schools turning to student portfolios to assess academic progress
Across California, 34 high schools and 12 districts have formed a network to promote performance-based assessments, including portfolios. These are the end product of months of intense collaboration, research, critical thinking and multiple revisions that students typically present in their senior year.
Ashley Hopkinson
April 12, 2017
Despite law change, few districts offer early kindergarten for youngest 4-year-olds
Only six of California's 25 largest school districts are taking advantage of a state law that allows them to enroll more 4-year-olds in a pre-kindergarten program known as “transitional kindergarten.”
Ashley Hopkinson
April 9, 2017
Digital app helps to boost vocabulary of English learners in Napa preschools
In Napa County, where 87 percent of its preschoolers are English learners, the use of a digital literacy app in Spanish and English is helping to boost the vocabulary of its youngest students. Teachers use the app in all 24 preschools in the county to incorporate songs, books and games into classroom activities.