Topic

Early Learning

Quality early care and education is critical to prepare all California children for school, but a large percentage of children 0-4 do not attend licensed early childhood education programs, largely because of a lack of space. The state has begun restoring preschool and child care slots eliminated during the recession, and investing more in full-day programs. Early childhood advocates, parents, and providers are eagerly awaiting what reforms may occur under Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, who has said he is committed to expanding early childhood education.

January 11, 2019

Just days into governorship, Newsom a master of complexities of California budget

After years in the shadows as lieutenant governor, Newsom is back in his element shaping and making policy, this time not for one city but for the most populous state in the nation.

Louis Freedberg

January 9, 2019

Gov. Newsom proposing to expand services for babies and toddlers

The budget proposal is expected to significantly expand paid family leave, home visits to help parents teach and care for their babies and screenings to identify delays early.

Zaidee Stavely

January 7, 2019

Gov. Newsom wants universal preschool for low-income children in California to be phased in over three years

A transition team document says Newsom's proposed budget for the next fiscal year will call for $1.8 billion for kindergarten, child care and child development programs, although more details are expected when he releases his proposed budget later this week.

Louis Freedberg

December 13, 2018

What California can learn from universal preschool in other states

Some states have successfully expanded both access and the quality of their preschool programs. Here’s what some early learning advocates and researchers say California could learn from them.

Zaidee Stavely

December 11, 2018

In push for universal preschool, lessons to heed from California's class size reduction program

The $1 billion program was implemented in less than two months.

Louis Freedberg

December 4, 2018

New push underway to expand preschool for low-income children in California

Assemblyman Kevin McCarty introduced three bills this week, one to expand spaces for public preschool for low-income 4-year-olds, one to improve preschool facilities and one to increase reimbursement for preschool programs.

Zaidee Stavely

November 19, 2018

Preschoolers take on math with the help of college students

Preschool Counts, a program piloted by Stanford University in 2013, is boosting early math skills by pairing undergraduate students with preschoolers to practice math through games and other activities.

Ashley Hopkinson

November 7, 2018

Newsom's cradle-to-career plan for education is ambitious — and expensive

An EdSource estimate finds that the governor-elect's education promises could add up to billions of dollars.

Karin Fischer

October 30, 2018

Building relationships with preschool parents, one conversation at a time

To help preschoolers who are learning to speak in more than one language, one California school district is focusing on parent engagement through in-person interviews that are boosting parent participation in class activities.

Ashley Hopkinson

October 18, 2018

Four communities in California turn to voters to help fund children's programs

Oakland, Richmond, Capitola and San Joaquin County all have measures on the November ballot to fund early childhood education.

Zaidee Stavely

October 4, 2018

New California law requires day care centers to test for lead in water

Child care centers will be required to test their drinking water for lead under a new law that builds on a similar requirement for K-12 schools.

Nico Savidge

September 18, 2018

New findings from Getting Down to Facts II

Watch John Fensterwald in conversation with Sean Reardon and Deborah Stipek on early childhood education.

John Fensterwald

September 17, 2018

Multifaceted reforms needed to reach California’s education goals, research project finds

Getting Down to Facts II finds strong support for education reforms but also obstacles to student achievement and a need for more funding.

John Fensterwald

September 17, 2018

Essential Guide to Getting Down to Facts II

Here are the take-aways from the studies on special education, funding needs, a teacher shortage, a data deficit, student mental health local control's unmet potential – and more.

John Fensterwald, Daniel J. Willis, Yuxuan Xie, And Justin Allen

September 17, 2018

Ten years on, California is making progress but must do more for preK-12 education

Getting Down to Facts II research project scrutinized how California's schools are doing after a decade of policy changes.