Victoria WangMelanie Leung-GagnéHanna MelnickShaakira ParkerMarjorie Wechsler
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California is expanding universal prekindergarten (UPK) to all 4-year-olds and eligible 3-year-olds. Survey data show that local educational agencies have expanded UPK quickly; however, they continue to face challenges related to UPK facilities, staffing, developmentally appropriate practices, resources, and funding, making continued state investment and targeted support critical for success.
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In 2021, California began a significant expansion of PreK, including expanding state funding for transitional kindergarten and a legislative commitment to maintain other federally and state-funded PreK options for income-eligible families. Data show promising increases in enrollment of 4-year-olds, both in absolute terms and relative to trends in other states.
Victoria WangMelanie Leung-GagnéHanna MelnickMarjorie Wechsler
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California’s ambitious commitment in 2021 to expand universal PreK for all 4-year-olds and income-eligible 3-year-olds by 2025–26 is making progress. Evidence provides insights into implementation related to service delivery models, facilities and transportation, instruction and assessment, supporting student needs, workforce development, and technical assistance needs.
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Integrated learning environments can lead to academic and social benefits for children, yet most early childhood education programs are remarkably segregated due to both neighborhood segregation and policy decisions. New research shows how state policymakers can design policies that foster integration rather than segregation.
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Early childhood learning quality depends on educators being fully prepared to meet the needs of diverse young learners—something that can be supported by high-quality coaching. Examples from state and county systems show ways that comprehensive coaching systems can be implemented at scale, types of coaching approaches, and supports offered.
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Racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse classrooms are beneficial for young students, yet early childhood programs can be more segregated than elementary and high schools. Research offers five policy strategies to promote diverse early learning settings.
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In 2021, California committed to providing universal prekindergarten to all 4-year-olds and income-eligible 3-year-olds by 2025–26. Melanie Leung-Gagné and Hanna Melnick write about how schools and districts across the state are progressing on the planning and implementation for this ambitious expansion.
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California has committed to expanding universal prekindergarten to all of the state’s 4-year-olds by 2025-26. An analysis of responses to a 2022 survey by 1,108 local education agencies provides findings on how they are addressing key areas for expansion, including instruction and assessment, workforce development, facilities, and transportation.
Karin GarverG. G. WeisenfeldLori Connors-TadrosKatherine HodgesHanna MelnickSara Plasencia
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As states expand access to public preschool, most must do so across a variety of settings, such as schools, Head Start agencies, child care centers, and family child care homes. To examine what policies support high-quality preschool at scale, experts look at five states and the unique approaches they have taken.
Karin GarverG. G. WeisenfeldLori Connors-TadrosKatherine HodgesHanna MelnickSara Plasencia
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Policymakers in Alabama, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and West Virginia have worked to expand public preschool to meet growing demand. Researchers examine one of the biggest challenges they face: coordinating preschool providers that operate in very different contexts and settings and need different kinds of supports.
