LPI In the News

eSchool News by Laura Devaney | LPI's Building Blocks brief, designed to help states as they expand and improve early education programs, highlights 10 important elements of high-quality early childhood education programs so all children have an equitable start with a strong educational foundation.

Sacramento Bee by Joshua Pechthalt | With California facing a severe teacher shortage that disproportionately impacts low-income students and children of color, California Federation of Teachers President Pechthalt writes that rather than blame teachers for poor performance, what’s needed are more resources, smaller class size, social services, and excellent teachers. Remedies proposed include those outlined by Linda Darling-Hammond at the Vergara trial, including mentoring and strong teacher evaluation programs.

EdSurge | LPI was one of twelve organizations, including public school districts, nonprofit research groups, charter networks, and state education departments to receive awards ranging from $50,000 to $225,000 to design and implement new assessments. In total, $2 million was awarded through the Assessment for Learning Project, which is funded by the Hewlett and Gates foundations.

BusinessWire release | LPI's Linda Darling-Hammond and Senior Fellow in Residence David Kirp both led webinars as part of K-12 week, which provides presentations from top leaders on such topics as ESSA, social-emotional learning, school climate, education policy and reform, and data and decision-making.

Education Week by Lillian Mongeau | There are 10 elements that make a high-quality preschool program, which LPI lists in its Building Blocks brief and are referenced in this article.

EdSource by Jeremy Hay | The article discusses proposed legislation, AB-2410 Early Learning Local Control School Readiness Act of 2016, to create new kindergarten readiness standards in state-funded California preschools.  LPI Senior Policy Advisor Roberto Viramontes cautions that although the bill's intent is to address educational inequities with such measures, this process has backfired in other states.

NEA Today by Tim Baker | The reporter uses the Field Poll of California voters on the teacher shortage, the LPI Teacher Shortage brief on the increasing number of under-credentialed teachers, and interviews with report authors Leib Sutcher, Linda Darling-Hammond, and Patrick M. Shields to examine the impact of underprepared teachers, particularly in low-poverty schools, and the importance of investing in teacher recruitment and training to ensure educational equity.

Education Dive by Erin McIntyre | As California legislators look at how best to fund preschool programs, they should devise a strategy that directs the money to high-quality programs. The author references the recommendations in LPI Building Blocks brief and additional statistics on the number of bills addressing early childhood education across the country.

EdSource by Jeremy Hay | The article examines the recommendation of the Legislative Analyst’s Office regarding preschool and transitional kindergarten programs for low-income families and links to LPI's Building Blocks brief. If programs are expanded to full day, LPI Senior Research Fellow and director of the National Institute for Early Education Research Steve Barnett affirms the importance of providing sufficient support for teachers to maintain high-quality.

Modesto Bee by Nan Austin | Members of the California Retired Teachers Association, Stanislaus County–Division 38, cited statistics from LPI's Teacher Shortage report and quoted Linda Darling-Hammond on the impact of fewer teachers with full credentials when testifying at CalRTA’s Advocacy Day.