"Early childhood education holds great promise for our youngest learners... But to deliver on this promise, we need to ensure equitable access to high quality programs for all children and families in our community."
A press briefing held this week about the study, in partnership with Columbus City Council and Future Ready Columbus
Fact of the Week
In Franklin County, approximately 60-70% of families rely on family and friends to find child care, while only 1% rely on agencies to help them find child care. This finding is from Crane’s “Early Care and Education (ECE) in Franklin County: The ECE Landscape Study” commissioned by and in partnership with Columbus City Council and Future Ready Columbus.
Events & Happenings
Association for the Study of Higher Education and Scholars Strategy Network will host “Navigating Your Network: Policy Mapping and Building Relationships” on September 23rd from 11 am – 1:30 pm. There is a fee of $30 for ASHE members and $50 for non-members. Register here.
The Columbus Women’s Commission is hosting “COVID- 19’s Economic Impact on Women: A Panel Discussion on the State of Women in Columbus” on September 29th from 11 am – 12 pm. Register here.
Also on September 29th, Ready Nation is hosting an event on “Early Efforts - Child Care and Workforce Participation: Lessons from Ohio” at 2 pm. Register here.
Beyond the Buckeye State
Child care ratios in Texas are among the highest in the country, almost double the recommended ratios set forth by NAEYC. For instance, standards have allowed as many as 11 two-year-olds under the care of just one adult. The state is currently in the midst of a review by the Health and Human Services Commission. Advocates are pushing for lower teacher-child ratios to provide safer care environments for children, but providers who currently operate at these higher ratios will face financial losses if lower ratios are mandated.
A teacher coaching program in New York City provides support for kindergarten and first-grade teachers to improve literacy instruction. As described by Hechinger Report, the 10-week program led to 75% of non-reading students to develop foundational reading skills throughout the course of the program.
As describedin a brief from the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE), Michigan’s State Board of Education added a birth to kindergarten certificate for teachers – much like existing expertise bands, such as K-5 or K-8. The state began reforming the certification process in 2019 by splitting apart previous K-8 certification into preK-3 and grade 3-6 bands. Then, a stakeholder group was convened and recommended that the board adopt a birth to K certification that teachers can earn alone or in addition to other credentials.
What We're Reading
In this article, the Urban Institute outlines steps for state leaders to take to make their child care subsidy programs more equitable.
The U.S. may be experiencing declining unemployment, but those numbers don’t include those who have quit their jobs or taken leave – which is increasingly common for women who can’t find adequate child care. The Guardian describes these labor force trends. Business Insider describes it further, noting that “the stark difference between jobs gained by men and women likely comes down to lack of childcare that is keeping women at home as the Delta variant may affect in-person school plans and push back some of their plans to return to work.”
A new report by The Behavioral Science and Policy Association and explained here by Hechinger Report examined cash transfer programs for families and what characteristics make them successful. Researchers found that unconditional programs – that offer cash without strings, like employment requirements – were more successful at helping improve families’ security and life outcomes. Other qualities of successful programs included a simple delivery system (like a debit card); a predictable schedule for when payment would come; and transfers occurring during times that coincide with vital child development stages.
Two articles – both published in Education Week – discuss the science on whether children’s mask usage while in school or care impacts learning or social and emotional development. The main gist is that adequate face-time at home can help mitigate whatever loss of context or facial cues happens during the day while masked. Most experts indicate that it’s too early to know precisely how much/whether mask usage impacts young children’s speech and language. Moreover, and regardless of what research ends up showing, the use of masks has to be weighed alongside several factors including basic health and safety concerns and the ability to keep schools open so that children can learn in-person rather than virtually.
This edition written by: Jamie O'Leary, Associate Director of Policy and Caitlin Lennon, Communications & Policy Specialist
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