Here's an interesting read about what children globally had to say about COVID when asked by researchers. 
Quotable & Notable
"It is essential that young children receive an equitable, positive, and healthy start. That is why any policy agenda to dismantle systemic racism in this country must include bold reforms to the ECE system that concretely address equity in access, experiences, and outcomes. Although the challenges in our system are complex and stepping away from the status quo is not an easy task, proactive investments and policy reforms to address racial equity in ECE will ripple into other inequitable domains of life – K-12 education, employment, wealth building — and across generations."
who:
The Children’s Equity Project, full author list here

Fact of the Week
The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) estimates the child care relief funding each state can expect to receive from the American Rescue Plan Act in the coming weeks. They estimate Ohio will receive $1,299,897,810 total in child care relief funds.  
Policy Radar
The latest $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package, known as the American Rescue Plan, passed Congress on Wednesday and was signed by Pres. Biden yesterday. The bill allocates $39 billion for child care relief funds and $1 billion for Head Start – offering a much-needed lifeline to the struggling industry – among other historic policy changes. 
 
  • Here’s a detailed look from the First Five Years Fund about what’s in store for child care and early learning.  
  • Here’s an explanation for one of the most significant changes that will be ushered in by the American Rescue Plan – the conversion of the child care tax credit into a child care allowance, and an explainer published in The Conversation on the allowance. The New Republican explains why this policy change alone can have a serious impact on child poverty reduction. The 74 Million also discusses this change and what it could mean for children and their academic performance. 
  • To read more about the relief bill as a whole, The Conversation has a good round-up here. 
Events & Happenings
Join New America on March 30th from 12-3:30 pm for “Reimagining Early Care and Education” where a distinguished group of speakers will examine why reimagining and investing in early care and education must be a national priority and explore how to make it a reality for all children. 
Beyond the Buckeye State
One California state representative (also a former teacher and principal) introduced a bill that would make kindergarten compulsory. There is a surprising degree of policy variance across states with respect to kindergarten; 19 states and D.C. require it, including Ohio. 
 
A scholarship program in Detroit is helping families cover the cost of care for students ages 5-12 who are participating in online learning in child care centers until subsidy payments arrive from the state. 
 
A Tennessee bill that would allow teachers to petition to remove students with chronic discipline problems from their classrooms is raising concerns among student advocacy groups that it may be biased against students of color and students with disabilities.  
 
A new initiative is underway in Philadelphia (and expanding to 10 communities nationwide) to bring more Black teachers into classrooms.  
What We're Reading
An op-ed published in The Hill argues that student loan forgiveness is actually an early childhood policy. Essentially, the authors point out that freeing up young adults from massive loan debts could help relieve financial hardships that impact parenting, create family stressors, and ultimately impact children’s development. 
 
In this op-ed, two former state governors (of Massachusetts and North Carolina) urge states to invest in early childhood care and education, and to be mindful to invest federal stimulus dollars in ways that are “inclusive of all types of providers, including home-based child care programs.” 
 
On the topic of how states should use federal COVID relief funds, this op-ed argues that states should focus on improving quality through evidenced-based curricula as well as awareness-raising efforts so that families are better aware of quality care options. 
 
If you’re interested in or follow the work of Dr. Angela Duckworth and the concept of “grit” as a part of character building, here’s a timely Q&A with her.  
Research Round Up
A new report by researchers at NYU’s Institute of Human Development and Social Change examines professional development for preschool teachers as well as the social networks teachers rely on to develop their learning. There are many findings that might be applicable outside of the NYC preschool classrooms studied, such as the fact that “early childhood teachers who seek advice from a higher proportion of people at their schools have higher levels of job satisfaction” and “more confidence in their teaching,” or that coaching and informal advice-seeking among peers can lower stress and improve job satisfaction. 
This edition written by: Jamie Davies O'Leary, Associate Director of Policy and Caitlin Lennon, Communications & Policy Specialist
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