This may be one of our favorite research findings in a while: Creativity can be learned – and taught.  
Quotable & Notable
“Despite the obvious and well-documented benefits of early childhood education, access to these programs is unequal and sporadic. They are not universal and are far from easily accessible in large parts of our nation. As a result, large numbers of American children are unable to receive the benefits of early learning... The consequences of being unable to access early learning programs are obvious: Lack of preparation for advanced learning, reduced opportunity to attend and graduate college, and lack of access to the full range of opportunities that a high-quality education offers.” 
Fact of the Week
According to the Ohio Department of Education, the statewide chronic absenteeism rate increased to 24% in 2020-2021, up from 11% in 2019-2020, and up from 17% in 2018-2019 (the school year prior to the beginning of the pandemic). ODE defines chronic absenteeism as any student missing at least 10% of school days for any reason. 
Policy Radar
City 
Columbus Mayor Ginther delivered his State of the City remarks this week, describing the importance of the first five years of life – within which 90% of brain development occurs – as well as highlighting Future Ready Columbus’ plan for improving kindergarten readiness. He also emphasized the need for better affordable housing including for pregnant mothers. You can read the full transcript here. 
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State 
More federal dollars will be flowing to help stabilize Ohio’s child care sector, as Dayton Daily News describes. Specifically, programs will be able to apply for grants to help with operating costs, workforce recruitment and retention, mental health support for workers and families, and improved access. 
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Federal 
A waiver that passed during the pandemic that made free lunch for school children universal is speeding toward expiration this summer (June 30), and Congress did not include expanded school nutrition funding in a recently passed federal spending bill. This piece in The Conversation explains the evidence behind universal school meals as well as the context for why this fall is “much too early to revert back to the three-tiered system” - where some families don’t pay, some receive discounts, and others pay full price. Two related reads explore the consequences of allowing the waiver to expire. 
Beyond the Buckeye State
Missouri’s governor is hoping to expand investment in the state’s child care sector, with nearly $50 million that could be spent to retain child care staff via recruitment and retention incentives.  
 
This blog by the Children’s Funding Project examines digital advertising as a potential source of tax revenue to fund children’s initiatives. It highlights the first-ever such tax in Maryland, where an estimated $250 million will be raised and allocated toward K-12 and early childhood education. 
 
Oregon lawmakers are hoping to spend some of the state’s federal funds to help teachers get trained in the science of reading. 
New from Crane
Crane researchers published a research brief examining kindergarten transition difficulties experienced by a sample of Ohio children. The authors say that creating smooth school transitions is a critical part of fostering positive developmental trajectories for all children. Read the brief here. 
What We're Reading
This op-ed in the Hechinger Report urges, in light of preschool expansion being discussed at the federal level, that such early learning not become “academic.” The authors underscore that high-quality early childhood learning relies on well-trained teachers; rich conversation and engagement with children; and warm, caring relationships. They caution away from the use of “didactic, teacher-led instruction in large groups.”  
 
Also published by Hechinger, this article describes the unique real estate challenges faced by home child care providers.  
 
The Alliance for Early Success provides a set of resources related to childhood immunizations, the rates for which fell during the pandemic in many locations. It also discusses public health strategies to combat anti-vaccine messaging and the politicization of health issues like immunization. 
Research Round Up
New research underscores the importance of evidence-based math curriculum for early learners. A study that examined outcomes for Latino/Hispanic students in California across multiple settings found that the math intervention under study for pre-K resulted in gains by the end of the pre-K year and were maintained in kindergarten. However, the researchers found that gains were not maintained by the end of grade 1, likely because of curriculum that was not aligned to the intervention/program offered in earlier years. The study also found that the math program was less effective for pre-K children with “low inhibitory control,” and K children with lower focus levels, suggesting the “importance of executive attention for mathematical learning and development.”
This edition written by: Jamie O'Leary and Caitlin Lennon
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