Yesterday, I was delighted to join Secretary Duncan, Democrats and Republicans - including Sen. Harkin, Rep. Miller, and Rep. Hanna - and leaders from law enforcement, business, the military and early childhood education advocates to celebrate the introduction of a bi-partisan bill, Strong Start for America's Children Act.”  We absolutely can’t wait another generation to ensure that all of America’s children have access to high-quality early education and the opportunities that follow in life – a future we want for our own children and grandchildren.  Secretary Duncan said in a statement , “This is the most important single step we can take for the future of our young people. Let’s join together to make it happen."

Research continues to deepen our understanding of the importance of the first five years of life.  Nearly two decades ago a landmark study found that by age three or four, the average child in an upper income family has over 30 million more words than the average child in a welfare family.  Now psychologists at Stanford have published a new study showing that this “language gap” can be seen as early as 18 months.  Another exciting new research brief by the Society for Research in Child Development and funded by the Foundation for Child Development, reaffirms what we know from countless other studies: high-quality public preschool programs have substantial impacts on children’s early learning.

Our President is clearly ready to sign an early learning bill.  Champions in Congress are working on legislation to make this happen. We absolutely can’t wait another generation to ensure that all of America’s children have access to high-quality early education and the opportunities that follow in life – a future we want for our own children and grandchildren.  Now is the time.

Buffalo Promise Neighborhood is growing their pipeline of services for children in one of the city's most challenged neighborhoods.  In September, the Buffalo Promise Neighborhoods Children's Academy opened its doors to provide high quality early learning that will prepare 150 children for a successful start to kindergarten.  Read more.

A new study, based on surveys completed by more than 10,000 early childhood care providers in 2012, provides the first thorough picture of the early care and education workforce in two decades.  Understanding and improving the early care and education workforce is essential because these providers not only support working parents, but also help educate and care for children during the most rapid period of brain development – from birth to five years old.

Bureau of Indian Education (BIE):  FACE was initiated in 1990, and currently has programs in 44 Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) funded schools. It was designed as a family literacy program; an integrated model for an early childhood/parental involvement program for American Indian families in BIE-funded schools. Evaluation indicates that FACE programs are succeeding in addressing achievement gaps for American Indian children primarily located on rural reservations, and in better preparing them for school.  To Read More Click Here!

Local Food Makes the Grade: Farm to School and Beyond

USDA has published the new Farm to School Census, which shows the national farm to school footprint down to the school district level.  With farm to school purchases topping $350 million across the country and over 38,000 schools nationwide participating in farm to school activities, local food is making marks in schools.

The first summary data for the FY 2012 Quality Performance Report (QPR) have been released. The annual QPR captures State and Territory progress on improving the quality of child care.   To Read More Click Here.

16 States and D.C. Submit Applications for the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge

The U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Departments) announced today that 16 states and the District of Columbia submitted applications for the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC), a $280 million state-level competitive grant program to improve early learning and development. Read More.

 Minnesota: Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC)

Despite a slower than expected start, Minnesota is pleased with results in the first year of the grant. In year one Minnesota has made Accelerated Pathways to Ratings through the TQIRS, Parent Aware, available statewide to all eligible Early Learning and Development Programs; completed its first round of Parent Aware full ratings for child care programs; made Early Learning Scholarships available in all four Transformation Zones, and provided Title I Pre-K Incentive grants in three of the four Transformation Zones. Click Here to Access Minnesota’s Annual Performance Report or to the Minnesota Department of Education

Lt. Gen Seip: US Air Force and a member of the Executive Advisory Council of Mission:  Readiness.  

What is the background of Mission: Readiness?

Many times when people think of the Military and National Security they think of aircraft, tanks, ships, and other high-tech equipment. However, at the end of the day what keeps America safe and secrete are the men and women who so proudly serve. We want to make sure our next generation of children is educated, morally sound and physically fit in order to provide a LARGE pool of eligible 17-24 year olds for possible entrance into the military or ANY other career path they might wish to pursue. We want students to graduate on time, be law abiding, and physically fit.

Mission: As a military official why do you believe high-quality early learning programs should be expanded?

Long term studies like the Perry Pre-School Initiative in Michigan show that when we expand high-quality early childhood learning programs we boost high school graduation rates, deter youth from crime and even help reduce childhood obesity rates. When children are in high-quality learning environments we are able to tackle issues before kindergarten, such as behavioral or developmental or health problems. There are three big disqualifiers for young adults trying to enlist in the military: poor education, serious criminal convictions and obesity. Providing high-quality pre-kindergarten programs, as the President has proposed in his state-federal partnership program, addressed each of these disqualifiers. 

How do you think the President’s proposal to provide high-quality preschool for all four-year olds will help our communities and nation?

Mission: Readiness supports high-quality preschools and believes the President's proposal  will help move the country in a positive direction by connecting the state and federal government in a partnership for high quality pre-kindergarten education. New Jersey has had great success with their program that contains many of the President’s recommendations.  Mission: Readiness views quality early learning as a good investment in our national security that also comes with an economic return.

What influence can military personnel have in their communities in promoting high-quality early learning?

Military personnel can become involved in many ways such as public speaking engagements. Personally, I spoke on C-Span regarding our document released in June 2013 entitled, A Commitment to Pre-Kindergarten Is a Commitment to National Security .” Military Personnel can become personally active by advocating to their elected officials the benefits of high quality early education programs. If you believe in high-quality early learning you should contact local and public officials. Americans know how to solve problems; we can find a solution to this problem.

What Do Your Babies Look Like?

Zero to Three Policy Center  has released updated

State Baby Face Sheets,which gives critical statistics and data on the youngest residents of each state. The 2013 factsheets for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia provide information for early childhood professionals and policymakers about the status of infants, toddlers, and families in the framework of good health, strong families, and positive early learning experiences.

State Baby Face Sheets,which gives critical statistics and data on the youngest residents of each state. The 2013 factsheets for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia provide information for early childhood professionals and policymakers about the status of infants, toddlers, and families in the framework of good health, strong families, and positive early learning experiences.

The Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) works to strengthen the capacity of State Education Agencies (SEAs) to lead sustained improvements in early learning opportunities and outcomes. CEELO also works in partnership with SEAs, state and local early childhood leaders, and other federal and national technical assistance (TA) providers to promote innovation and accountability.  For more on CEELO, click here.

The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) has releases new practice guide: Teaching Math to Young Children.  From naming shapes to counting, many children show an interest in math before they enter a classroom. Teachers can build on this curiosity with five recommendations from the new practice guide.