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Topic

Early Learning

In 2012, California introduced transitional kindergarten, a new grade for older 4-year-olds. The state has begun restoring preschool and child care slots eliminated during the recession, and investing more in full-day programs. California has not adopted universal preschool for 4-year-olds as urged by President Barack Obama and implemented in some states, but is making progress to reaching that goal promoted by many advocates. There is a growing emphasis on the 0-3 years, as well as on developing systems on how to measure the quality of early education programs.
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.

Susanna Loeb
August 28, 2018

Parent involvement in early years grows with help from community groups

Unlike California’s K-12 public school system, not all programs that serve infants and toddlers have formal systems in place to engage parents

Ashley Hopkinson
August 15, 2018

California gets high grade in measuring teachers’ reading instruction skills

Linda Darling-Hammond, chair of teacher credentialing commission, calls the state assessment out of date and not a good predictor of classroom performance.

John Fensterwald
August 9, 2018

Baby and toddler storytime can create a lifetime love of reading

Local libraries help parents to learn early literacy skills through storytime. Children's librarians say storytime is one of the best ways to cultivate a young child's interest in books and encourage lifelong reading.

Ashley Hopkinson
August 1, 2018

California districts can renovate, build kindergarten classrooms with help from new funding

There is $100 million in new state funds to help districts build and renovate classrooms to expand full-day kindergarten. The funds are available to all districts but priority will be given to districts that are struggling financially.

Ashley Hopkinson
July 5, 2018

Low pay for child care workers puts more than half at poverty level, study finds

A national study on the early childhood education workforce found that many child care workers are struggling to support their families on low wages and that policies and resources fail to address the economic well-being of those who teach infants and toddlers.

Ashley Hopkinson
June 20, 2018

California falls short in underwriting meals for state's youngest children

Continued lack of state investment in Child and Adult Care Food Program means fewer child care providers can offer free meals.

Franny Wong
June 14, 2018

California budget includes increase for infant and toddler care but not enough to meet demand

The budget will fund the creation of 13,407 new child care slots for low-income families.

Ashley Hopkinson
June 12, 2018

Many teachers favor a more integrated early education system, national survey finds

A national survey reveals that many teachers support a unified preschool and K-3 system and also believe higher wages and professional preparation are key to keeping teachers in the classroom.

Ashley Hopkinson
June 9, 2018

Legislative leaders in Sacramento strike deal with Gov. Brown on education funding in his last budget

The compromise deal would create a new online community college, raise funding for the UC and CSU, and reform how community colleges are funded. The deal also adds $400 million to LCFF.

Mikhail Zinshteyn And Larry Gordon