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The first years of a child’s life provide a foundation for long-term health and well-being. As states consider policy proposals to update credential or degree requirements for early childhood educators, they can look to promising programs and state policies that recruit and prepare diverse cohorts of educators to teach in early childhood education programs. This report includes case studies of distinct approaches offering innovative, affordable pathways to preparation for diverse candidates.
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Two studies create a through line from children to practitioners to policy, describing the essential skills required for young children to be kindergarten ready, the skills educators need to teach them, and effective policies and practices for early educator preparation.
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Recently released research studies have revisited the question, "Does preschool make a long-term difference in the academic and life-long success of participants?" While these studies underscore the importance of context when assessing the impact of preschool, they don’t change a fundamental finding: Attending a high-quality preschool leaves children better prepared for kindergarten and has lasting impacts on child outcomes, especially when it is followed by high-quality elementary school instruction.
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What skills and competencies do early childhood educators need in order to provide high-quality early learning experiences? What essential skills should children master before entering kindergarten? The Early Childhood Essentials framework answers these questions based on an analysis of relevant research. It is a must-read for local and state decision-makers looking to build and expand high-quality early learning programs.
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Based on the report, Early Childhood Essentials: A Framework for Aligning Child Skills and Educator Competencies, this fact sheet presents the skills children should have upon entering kindergarten and the skills and competencies early educators need to support effective learning experiences. Providing leaders with a fundamental understanding of early childhood education will help them make informed decisions to ensure educators have the resources they need to provide every child with the opportunity to enter school ready to thrive.
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California has an opportunity to invest in its children by investing in its educators. To do so effectively, the state should consider a multi-dimensional approach that includes a true infrastructure of support, higher professional standards, and competitive compensation. With these investments and holistic approach, California will be one step closer to setting its youngest learners on a path to good health, academic success, and economic security later in life.
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Students who attend high-quality preschool programs reap benefits that can last through school and their lives, according to a review of research by the Learning Policy Institute. The study includes reviews of rigorous evaluations of 21 large-scale public preschool programs which find that children who attend these programs are more prepared for school and experience substantial learning gains in comparison to children who do not attend preschool.
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Research on early learning programs in the 1960s and 1970s revealed enormous benefits for children that lasted into adulthood, sparking investment in preschool programs, but two evaluations of large preschool programs that yielded mixed results created confusion about the wisdom of such investments. A review of rigorous and more recent research into the impact of preschool clarifies that students who attend high-quality preschool programs reap benefits that can last throughout their lives.
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Research on early learning programs in the 1960s and 1970s revealed longlasting benefits, sparking investment in preschool programs. However, recent evaluations of two large preschool programs found mixed results, creating confusion about whether preschool programs can support student success. This report reviews these two studies and others in depth, and finds that when participants are compared to very similar students who did not attend preschool, the benefits of participation are typically found to be substantial.
Marjorie WechslerDavid L. KirpTitilayo Tinubu AliMadelyn GardnerAnna MaierHanna MelnickPatrick M. Shields
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The book provides a comprehensive examination of how states can build high-quality early education systems: It discusses design and implementation, themes to guide program development, effective management and collaboration with state agencies, and the central role that teachers play in improving children’s lives. There is no single roadmap to excellence, but the varied experiences of states can provide important insights into the policies and practices that lead to quality early learning.
