Preschool curriculum increasingly seen as a key to academic success in the early grades.
The bill would define what it means to be ready for kindergarten.
In his latest early education budget proposal, Gov. Jerry Brown proposes the same as he did before.
California received mediocre marks in a national study of preschool access, quality and funding.
A new report found there are 170,000 3- and 4-year-olds who are eligible for state preschool but don't have access to it, and early education advocates said that highlighted the gaps in the state's early learning system.
Quality ratings vary widely from county to county.
The budget proposal would consolidate preschool programs into one grant.
Books are best in encouraging adults to use content-specific words with their children.
Advocates worry nonprofit and private preschool providers will suffer.
Vietnamese is among the most common languages in students' homes.
African-American preschoolers are expelled and suspended more often, report finds.
Early language instruction is crucial to later academic success.
Most would have a positive view of a candidate who supports early education.
