Early Education Initiative: Publications, Events and More

Obama's New Push for Preschool for At-risk Children | Christian Science Monitor

Cecille Isidro — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:26:00 -0500

But the big investments haven't necessarily been done within a meaningful framework, says Sara Mead, a senior research fellow at the New America Foundation ...

New America Foundation Releases 50-State Survey of Progress on Early Learning Councils

Erin Drankoski — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:41:00 -0500

The New America Foundation's Early Education Initiative today released a report and 50-state survey on how -- and whether -- states are making progress in establishing early learning councils, which are mandated by federal law to be established in each state.

The Next Step in Systems-Building

Education Policy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:44:00 -0500

Today, preschool and other services for young children are delivered through what is widely recognized as a non-system, with programs like child care, pre-kindergarten, special education services and Head Start operating in separate policy silos, each with differing objectives and different funding streams. This uneven and uncoordinated character of early childhood policy can impede access, quality, and return on investment to these programs. Indeed, stories of avoidable dysfunction-of low-income parents who are unaware that their child

Big Bird Celebrates Big Day with 'Sesame Street' Anniversary | The NewsHour

Kate Schuler — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:03:00 -0500

On the 40th anniversary of "Sesame Street," Jeffrey Brown explores how the classic PBS program has helped shape childhood education in the United States and around the world. He talks with Lisa Guernsey among others about children's programming. Watch the entire program.

If Bedtime Is Book Time, Let's Make Morning Time for Math

Erin Drankoski — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:47:00 -0500

Bedtime = book time. Parents know that equation by heart, or at least they're supposed to. The drill goes like this: Just before the goodnight kiss, we snuggle up with our young kids, open a book, and read with them. Okay, so maybe at first we have to beg them to just settle down. And maybe the baby is more prone to eat the pages than look at them. But still, we try. We're the ones responsible for these little human beings. It's part of our job.

Mathematics, on the other hand, that's not on the must-do list. Reading may be part of the raising-kids routine. Math -- not so much.

PreK-3rd Strategies Can Improve Education in the Golden State

Elizabeth Wu — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:03:00 -0400

Strengthening education in the face of severe state budget problems may seem an impossible goal. But a new report released today by the New America Foundation shows that not only is it possible, it’s already happening. A small but growing number of counties, school districts, and charter schools in California are making progress toward building seamless PreK-3rd early education systems—a promising strategy to narrow achievement gaps and raise student achievement.

CA EVENT: The Future of Early Education Systems in California (Pre K-3rd)

Elizabeth Wu — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
10/29/2009 - 11:30am

As California struggles to close persistent achievement gaps, it is increasingly apparent that these gaps exist at school entry and that efforts to improve the early education systems (PreK-3rd) are warranted. Please join us in the release of "On the Cusp in California: How PreK-3rd Strategies Could Improve Education in the Golden State," a policy paper from New America's Early Education Initiative that highlights key strategies for creating a more seamless system for early learning in California.

On the Cusp in California

Education Policy — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:00:00 -0400

If children are the future, then looking at a state's educational system is like peering into a crystal ball. California is a state teeming with young children -- 4.7 million under age 8, to be exact. One in every eight young American children lives in California. And many of these children come from minority ethnic and racial backgrounds and speak languages other than English. If Americans want to get a glimpse at our future as a "majority minority" country they don't have to look beyond California.

Do Parents Worsen Childhood Fears? | Dr. Nancy (MSNBC)

Erin Drankoski — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:27:00 -0400

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News,

Even Curious George Can Be Scary

Erin Drankoski — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:41:00 -0400

From the Editors: "Where the Wild Things Are," a film based on Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book, hit theaters on Friday. The book is loved by 4- and 5-year-olds, but this PG-rated movie may well be too scary for them.

Child development experts debate whether, when it comes to the big screen, live-action films are easier for preschoolers to identify with and enjoy than complex animation. But the live-action G-rated movie seems increasingly rare these days.

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Initiative Focuses on Early Learning Programs | The Ledger

Cecille Isidro — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 04:57:00 -0400

Sara Mead, a senior research fellow at the New America Foundation, said, “I haven't talked with anybody who isn't excited about the prospects for this Early ... and more »

Initiative Focuses on Early Learning Programs | New York Times

Cecille Isidro — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:59:00 -0400

Sara Mead, a senior research fellow at the New America Foundation, said, “I haven't talked with anybody who isn't excited about the prospects for this Early ... and more »

Early Education Issues Return to Spotlight | Education Week News

Cecille Isidro — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:00:00 -0400

Lisa Guernsey, the director of the early-learning initiative at the New America Foundation, a Washington think tank, said: “We're not seeing any signs of a ...

Kindergarten Need Not Be a Pressure Cooker

Erin Drankoski — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:48:00 -0400

A few years ago, Newsweek called kindergarten "the new first grade." This month, as I watch my 5-year-old settle into her classroom, it's clear the trend hasn't abated. In May, she was kneading Play-Doh in preschool. Now she has an assigned seat and "guided reading" lessons.
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Inattentive Kids Most Likely to Struggle with Grades, Studies Find | Washington Examiner

Cecille Isidro — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:27:00 -0400

"Ideally, new attention to children's attention could lead to some crossover between the health and education communities," said Lisa Guernsey, an early education analyst at the New America Foundation who compiled the findings of several studies that came to strikingly similar conclusions downplaying the long-term consequences of bad behavior. The most recent research was published last month in the journal Pediatrics.

Bye Bye to “Once upon a Time?” ... | San Francisco Examiner

Cecille Isidro — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:08:00 -0400

The study is among the first to use small recording devices to capture sounds and words spoken to and around young children, according to New America Foundation’s Early Ed Watch blog. The gadgets are put in kids' pockets or attached to their clothing. Researchers report that the technology supported by the LENA (Language Environment Analysis) Foundation, is breaking new ground in the collection of data on children's natural environments.

NRC Urges Greater Focus on Preschool Math | Education Week

Cecille Isidro — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:03:00 -0400

Christina Satkowski, a program associate in education policy at the New America Foundation, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, said interest in ...

Alexandria to Pitch for Early Education Funds | Washington Examiner

Cecille Isidro — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 20:03:00 -0400

Christina Satkowski, a program associate with the New America Foundation’s Education Policy Program, said it was important to increase toddlers’ access to pre-kindergarten programs such as Head Start.

With so many pre-K education programs available now, though, “finding ways to coordinate all these programs is very important,” she said.

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New America Releases Video on Effective School Reform that Features Montgomery County Schools

Communications — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:41:00 -0400

Today the New America Foundation's Early Education Initiative released a short (7 min) video, "Fighting Fade-Out Through PreK-3rd Reform," which makes the case for comprehensive PreK-3rd reforms that begin with high-quality early childhood education programs and build on the benefits of those programs through the elementary school years and beyond.

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‘Sesame Street’: The Show That Counts

Kate Schuler — Sat, 23 May 2009 12:38:00 -0400

This story has been brought to you by the letter S and the numbers 15 and 40. (Or, as the Count might say in his adorable Transylvanian accent, "fivteen and forrrty-HA, HA, HA!") The S, as anyone who has ever watched television can deduce by now, stands for Sesame Street. The 40 is almost as easy: this year marks the 40th anniversary of sunny days, friendly neighbors and the fuzzy creatures who live on that street where the air is sweet. If you haven't watched recently with your children or grandchildren, you'll be relieved to know that
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