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Early Learning

Quality early care and education are critical to prepare California children for school and their lives in general. But a large percentage of children do not have access to high quality early childhood education programs. The coronavirus pandemic has eliminated most hope of expanding preschool to more low-income 4-year-olds in the near future and has caused financial strife for early learning programs trying to meet health and safety guidelines and keep staff and children safe.
Early Learning
January 19, 2021

How one California preschool program is helping youngest learners with math

A state-funded program is designing strategies for families to keep kids learning at home even when in-person preschool is canceled.

Sydney Johnson
Policy & Finance
January 15, 2021

Investing in college success: Perspectives on Gov. Newsom’s higher ed budget

Leaders representing all segments of California's education system share their reactions to the governor’s budget proposals.

Andrew Reed
Policy & Finance
January 13, 2021

In the right direction? Perspectives on Gov. Newsom’s education budget

Leaders representing all segments of California’s education system share their reactions to the governor’s early education and K-12 budget proposals.

Andrew Reed
School Finance
January 8, 2021

Gov. Newsom proposes $4.6 billion for summer school, more learning time in 2021-22 budget

The budget would provide billions for K-12 schools and early education after paying off most of the short-term debt owed from this year’s budget.

John Fensterwald
Early Learning
January 5, 2021

Why California needs to ban preschool suspensions and expulsions, experts say

Harsh discipline at such an early age can have lasting consequences.

Karen D'Souza
Commentary
December 17, 2020

It’s time we gave women and young children their due

California’s Master Plan for Early Learning and Care is a template for a better life, not only for our youngest children, but for women as well.

Liz Simons
Early Learning
December 14, 2020

How California plans to increase access to Paid Family Leave to support early childhood

The recommendations include increasing the size of payouts and duration of leave, as well as support for small businesses.

Karen D'Souza
Commentary
December 8, 2020

New Master Plan for Early Learning and Care points way to California for all

When children have access to quality care and learning, parents also have the ability to seek more education, participate in the workforce, earn more and invest more in their children.

Linda Darling-Hammond and Kim Johnson
English Learners
December 7, 2020

Preschoolers learning English need to be identified, supported, says California’s master plan

The plan for the first time calls for requiring preschool programs to identify and report the languages spoken by children enrolled.

Zaidee Stavely
Policy & Finance
December 1, 2020

Inside California’s new master plan to reshape early education and child care

Gov. Gavin Newsom made early childhood education a central focus of his administration.

Karen D'Souza
Early Learning
November 11, 2020

Why Los Angeles County’s neediest school districts don't apply for waivers to reopen campuses

The waiver process has been fraught with debate — raising issues of safety, volatility and fairness.

Karen D'Souza And Betty Márquez Rosales
Federal Education Policy
November 7, 2020

President-elect Joe Biden’s expansive education agenda expected to draw greater scrutiny

With Senate likely to remain in GOP hands, it is not clear how much of his detailed pro-teacher agenda, with a heavy emphasis on community colleges and affordability, could be implemented.

Louis Freedberg
Bilingual Education
November 6, 2020

How California teachers are making bilingual education work online

With most instruction now remote and with less class time, students don’t spend as much time exposed to their new language.

Zaidee Stavely
Early Learning
October 23, 2020

LA schools define early learners as ‘high-needs’ to bring them back to campus

Schools in Los Angeles have begun in-person instruction with their youngest learners, under the county’s reopening allowance for students with special needs.

Karen D'Souza And Betty Márquez Rosales
Early Learning
October 1, 2020

Outdoor classes and ‘forest schools’ gain new prominence amid distance learning struggles

Can outdoor schools offer lessons at a time when being indoors is so risky?

Karen D'Souza