Quality Rating Improvement Systems (QRISs) commonly offer on-site technical assistance (TA) and coaching to help early care and education settings achieve quality improvements and a higher QRIS rating. In surveys of administrators overseeing statewide QRISs, almost all states reported the use of on-site TA and coaching in both center-based and home-based settings.

“From Crib to Classroom: Developing Language and Skills for Reading”, is a fact sheet based on a presentation by Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Temple University Lefkowitz Professor of Psychology and Director, Infant Language Laboratory.

This piece from the Center on the Developing Child, bridges the disconnect between science and policy in the realm of early childhood development.

CLASP has updated their Data Tool intended for state advocates and policymakers to use as they work to develop state early childhood agendas.

NAEYC's annual brief covers major state efforts on early care and education policies addressing issues such as governance, special education, health services, and education and care programs for infants through kindergarteners.

According to the latest annual report released by the Data Quality Campaign, while states have made strong progress increasing their capacity to build and use data systems, they are not yet helping teachers, parents, and other education stakeholders use the data to inform decisions to improve student achievement.

Quality, stable child care arrangements support the healthy development of infants and toddlers. This presentation from the 2011 NAEYC Annual Conference describes how state subsidy policies can support retention of child care subsidies and continuous care for infants and toddlers.

This annual report from the National Women's Law Center reveals that families were worse off in 37 states than they were in 2010 under one or more child care assistance policies.  Families are not only worse off in 2011 than they were in 2010, but are also worse off than a decade ago. 

Learn how to make the most out of the Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC).  BUILD, The First Five Years Fund and The Birth to Five Policy Alliance have joined forces in creating the Early Learning Challenge Collaborative.

Webinar recording hosted by Spitfire Strategies.  The topic covered was Discovering the Activation Point and was presented on September 27, 2011. 

This report from National Conference of State Legislatures, presents an analysis of overall trends in early care and education budget decisions and actions in child care, prekindergarten, home visiting and related early childhood investments.

A presentation by Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D. of Temple University given at the Annual Birth to Five Policy Alliance National Meeting and Peer Advocate Roundtable.  July 19, 2011 in Chicago, Il.

Produced by Spitfire Strategies, this toolkit compiles communications materials from the Birth to Five Policy Alliance, First Five Years Fund, and Spitfire Strategies including tip sheets, templates for outreach and media tools, and other messaging materials.

• Erika Beltran, Senior Policy Analyst, National Council of La Raza.  To email Erika please click here.
• Hannah Matthews, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP).  To email Hannah please click here.
• Reyna P. Hernandez, Research and Policy Associate, Latino Policy Forum.  To email Reyna please click here.

• Presentation
   
• Written by Hannah Matthews and Danielle Ewen.   Early Education Programs and Children of Immigrants: Learning Each Other's Language.  This paper was written for the Urban Institute's roundtable on Young Children in Immigrant Families and the Path to Educational Success, held on June 28, 2010. It discusses the federal and policy landscape for serving young children of immigrants in early care and education and includes policy recommendations for improving access for immigrant families.
   
• Written by Hannah Matthews.  Support a Diverse and Culturally Competent Workforce.  Ensure the diversity and cultural competence of infant and toddler providers and caregivers in order to meet the needs of the state's children under three and their families.
   
• CLASP DataFinder is a custom, easy-to-use tool developed to provide select demographic information as well as administrative data on programs that affect low-income people and families.
   
• Written by Erika Beltran.  Responding to the Needs of Young Latino Children: State Efforts to Build Comprehensive Early Learning Systems.  Recent federal and state policy developments and investments in early care and education reflect a renewed commitment to improving the shcool readiness and, ultimately, the school success of young children.
   
• Written by Erika Beltran and Sarah Dolan, New Leaders, New Directions: Tools for Advancing an Early Childhood Agenda for the Latino Communty.  As Latino children enter the American school system in increasing numbers, it is imperative that they enter ready to learn and be successful. Unfortunately, this is not currently the case. Young Latino children face many challenges in accessing high-quality early care and education (ECE) programs.
   
• Written by Patricia Foxen, America’s Future: Latino Child Well-Being in Numbers and Trends.  This data book offers a comprehensive overview of the state of Latino children by integrating a range of key factors and outcomes in the areas of demography, citizenship, family structure, poverty, health, education, and juvenile justice. It provides an overview of current national and state-level trends for Latino children under age 18 relative to non-Hispanic White and Black children, documenting both regional variations and changing trends since the year 2000.
   
• NCLR, Census 2010: Hispanics in the U.S.
   
• Click here to read the Proposed Early Childhood Bilingual/English as a Second Language Staff Qualifications in Illinois.
   
• RFP Recommendations Summary IELC Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Committee.  The Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Committee recommends the following additions to the current Preschool for All Children Request for Proposals.  These recommendations were discussed with Kay Henderson and members of her staff in May, and were later submitted to ISBE in written form in August.
   
• Click here to read the Illinois Early Learning Council Joint Workforce Development/Cultural & Linguistic Diversity Work Group Recommendations.
   
• Click here to read the RFP recommendations summary.  Recommendations offered on behalf of the Linguistic and Cultural committee for the FY 1- Preschool for all 3-5 Request for Proposals and the infant and toddler committee for the prevention initiative RFP.
   
• Click here to read public comment on proposed rule changes to 228 and 235 of the Illinois Administrative Code.
   
• Click here to read the Illinois office of the governor state advisory council on early childhood education and care application narrative.
   
• Click here to read the Illinois state board of education meeting minutes from June 24, 2010.

This fact sheet was recently developed by the California Alliance team for use in legislative visits and other advocacy work during the Spring of 2011.  The achievement gap begins to show as early as 18 months of age in vocabulary differences between children who have high vs. low exposure to a rich language environment.  These early vocabulary differences predict reading scores in third grade.

• Barbara Merrill, Executive Director, Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children and Program Manager, T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood (R) IOWA
• Tom Rendon, Iowa Head Start State Collaboration Office, Iowa Even Start State Coordinator, Iowa Department of Education
• Darlene Ragozzine, Executive Director, Connecticut Charts-A-Course
• Sarah LeMoine, Director of State Workforce Systems Policy, NAEYC

• NAEYC’s Early Childhood Workforce Systems Initiative’s purpose is to assist states in developing, enhancing, and implementing policies for an integrated early childhood professional development system for all early childhood education professionals working with and on behalf of young children. The website resources include a state policy blueprint and guide, a database of example state policies, web seminars, and additional related resources. 
   
• NAEYC’s Workforce Designs: A Policy Blueprint for State Early Childhood Professional Development Systems focuses on the policies that connect professional development activities and that support and make possible an effective implementation of a state system of professional development. It highlights policy principles and essential policy areas that build or sustain an integrated system—a system that ensures quality in all settings in which early childhood professionals work. These principles and highlighted policy areas look beyond the status quo; they are aimed at the development and retention of a competent and stable early childhood workforce—a skilled cadre of effective, diverse, and adequately compensated professionals.
  • Click here to access the full report.
  • Click here to access the brief.
     
• NAEYC’s State policy blueprint planning guide
  • Companion environmental scan recording tool
  • Companion plan recording tool
     
• Building an Early Childhood Professional Development System: an NGA Center for Best Practices Issue Brief, written in partnership with NAEYC and based on the NAEYC blueprint.
   
• A Policy Framework for an Early Childhood Iowa Professional Development System:  Early Childhood Iowa's integrated system plan, a state adaptation of the NAEYC blueprint.
   
• Connecticut Charts-A-Course, statewide professional development, program improvement and Registry system for early care and education.

State Advisory Councils must conduct periodic statewide needs assessments on the quality and availability of early care and education programs and services.  What kinds of demographic, policy and outcome data are available to help states draw the picture of early care and education programs and services in their states?  What methodologies are being used to link data from state needs assessments to plans to improve access to higher quality programs?

Speakers:

• Danielle Ewen, Director, Child Care and Early Education, Center for Law and Social Policy

Resources:

• Session Recording.  Part I.  Part II.
   

• Presentation
   

• NCCP:  Demographics Wizard test users create custom tables of national- and state-level statistics about low-income or poor children under the age of six.
   

•  NCCP:  Young Child Risk Calculator provides state-specific graphs on incidence of individual risks that are known to increase the chance of poor health, school, and developmental outcomes for young children.  The calculator also produces the incidence of young children with multiple risks, who are exceptionally vulnerable.
   

• NCCP:  Improving the odds for Young Children provides state-specific, regional, and national profiles that integrate data about an array of policies that affect early childhood development.
   

• Children in Newcomer and Native Families presents a large number of indicators reflecting the characteristics of children from birth through age 17 in immigrant families by country or region of origin and in native-born families by race-ethnicity.
   

• FRAC's Federal Food Programs State Profiles include information on state demographics, poverty, food insecurity, participation in federal nutrition programs, and state economic security policies.
   

• ZERO TO THREE:  Baby Matters is a searchable data base of state policies and initiatives impacting infants and toddlers.

  
  State Examples
   

• Pennsylvania Reach and Risk Assessment provides information about how well the commonwealth is reaching its young children with quality early learning services, with special attention to at-risk children for fiscal year 2009-2010.

• Connecticut Commission on Children 2010 Results-Based Accountability Report and Annual Report identifies indicators and monitors trends to promote the health, safety, and learning of children in the state.

State profiles created in partnership with the NGA Center and the Department of Health and Human Services.  Each profile provides an overview of a state council, including its administering agency, history, membership, activities, and priorities for the ARRA grant, and communication strategies.

This glossary by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) is intended to serve as a guide for states to adapt and adjust as needed.  The definitions are also designed to provide common understandings, or starting points, for research and national or cross-state discussions.  The definitions were developed for those who provide professional development, state policy makers, early education advocates, and program administrators working to connect professional development activities and initiatives into an integrated system.

This planning tool from ZERO TO THREE guides communities through the process of creating new or expanding existing home visiting services that meet their unique needs.  The guide helps communities use data to identify thier strengths, needs, and gaps in current home visiting services.

Recent policy brief from ZERO TO THREE focuses on strengthening systems that support professional development for the multidisciplinary infant-toddler workforce.

For the past two years, the Early Childhood Data Collaborative has been working with state leaders to understand the current status of state early childhood data systems, and to make recommendations on how to move states toward more coordinated data systems.

Although ECACs represent a common governance mechanism across states, they differ based on each state’s particular policy context. How are ECACs developing and operationalizing their work?

From the classroom to the legislature, stakeholders can use data about young children, early childhood programs and the workforce to improve the effectiveness of early care and education.

This report from NCCP presents findings from an interview study that investigated features of the professional development and on-site assistance available to center-based staff and home-based providers who participate in states’ Quality Rating Improvement Systems.

State-by-state fact sheets from The National Women's Law Center's report, Supporting Affordable, High-Quality Child Care with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funds, provide information on how the economic recovery funds are being used by states for child care and early education efforts.

This post from the Center for Law and Social Policy details information on how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds were used for child care purposes in 2009.

This annual report from the National Women's Law Center reveals that states largely held off major cuts to child care programs as of February 2010, with help from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. Although most state policies are holding steady compared to a year ago, they have not improved or are behind where they were in 2001 and may face challenges in protecting their child care programs as ARRA funds are exhausted.

This study from the Center for the Study Child Care Employment examines the career backgrounds and professional development needs of those working in child care resource and referral programs, local First 5 commissions, and child care coordinators across the state.

This brochure highlights the importance of coordinated and longitudinal data systems and what states can do to start building them to inform continuous improvement in early care and education. 

A new white paper from the Early Childhood Data Collaborative makes the case for why states should build longitudinal data systems for early care and education, describes the ten fundamentals of a coordinated system with state examples, and provides guidance on how to ensure appropriate access to data, which includes building the capacity for stakeholders to use the data for continuous improvement.

This new report from NCSL focuses on how states currently assess school readiness, as indicated by the use of assessment at kindergarten. Also detailed is information on how readiness information is used and reported within the states. Included in this scan are states that have universal or near-universal kindergarten assessment on an ongoing basis, as indicated through state statute, administrative code, or the state department of education's website.

A new guide is available from Child Trends to help states apply for federal home visiting grants. The guide outlines key steps for completing the grant application process and provides national and state-level data useful to applicants conducting needs assessments, identifying high-risk populations, and selecting and measuring benchmarks.

A new Child Trends brief provides an overview of state Early Learning Guidelines and efforts to monitor statewide school readiness across multiple domains of development and outlines key policy considerations for supporting and tracking school readiness at the state level.

This report is the first product of the QRS Assessment project and provides detailed information on 26 QRS nationwide and comparison tables to facilitate review across states and individual profiles on the 26 state systems reviewed.

Research on the importance of the early childhood years has compelled states to support children’s school readiness. This brief provides an overview of states’ Early Learning Guidelines (ELGs) for children age birth to five and current statewide school readiness assessment practices.

This report from NCSL, presents an analysis of overall trends in early care and education budget decisions and actions in child care, prekindergarten, home visiting and related early childhood investments.

This white paper, from the National Council of La Raza, examines how states are working to build comprehensive early learning standards and to address issues of professional development to ensure the success of Latino and English language learner children and families.

President Obama, on February 1, presented his FY 2011 budget proposal to Congress. This document from CLASP, offers a blueprint of the president's early childhood education spending priorities for the coming year.

The Early Childhood Data Collaborative (ECDC) is a new consortium of national organizations convened to help state policymakers build, link, and use early childhood data systems.

A new technical assistance opportunity from ZERO TO THREE to support states in the integration of Early Head Start and existing early childhood systems to expand high-quality services for infants and toddlers.

This presentation from CLASP provides an overview of the data-based metrics included in the House Early Learning Challenge Fund legislation.

Learn more about how the Access to Nutritious Meals for Young Children Act of 2009 will impact children and their families in this fact sheet from the National Women’s Law Center.

Learn how 4 states are using innovative financing structures that effectively utilize and coordinate state, federal and private funding streams for early childhood programs. From ZERO TO THREE and the Ounce of Prevention.

This fact sheet from the Center on Law and Social Policy, provides a snapshot of CCDBG program participation 2008.

A new policy report from CLASP analyzes what the 50 states and DC reported in their state CCDBG plans for FY 2008-2009.

A new paper from CLASP explores how home visiting can be responsive to the realities of children's daily lives when they spend significant time in the care of someone other than a parent.

An interactive site that provides videos and other resources on the economic benefits of investing in high quality early education programs.

Eating right and avoiding hunger are keys to healthy child development according to this paper from the Children’s Health Watch.

Negative stress at an early age can have a lasting impact on a child’s brain development according to this paper from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child.

This guide from the National Forum on Early Childhood Program Evaluation helps decision-makers understand evaluation information by posing five key questions evaluation research.

Learn how home visiting programs have evolved and improved over the years and how they will continue to move forward, from the Ounce of Prevention.

A report from the American Psychological Association details how pre-kindergarten affects a child’s cognitive development.

This paper from the Rand Corporation evaluates early intervention programs and how they can provide big returns on their investments to society.

This brief from the Center on the Developing Child, the National Conference of State Legislatures and the National Governors Association identifies innovative early childhood programs that improve outcomes for children.

Find out why early childhood development programs should be at the top of state governments' economic development lists.

From Jim Heckman with support from Committee for Economic Development, this paper argues for publicly funded investments in disadvantaged children.

Learn how early education can improve economic outcomes for states and the nation from the Committee for Economic Development.

From the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, an overview of the science of early childhood brain development as it relates to policies and programs that improve outcomes for at risk children.

This piece from the Center on the Developing Child, bridges the disconnect between science and policy in the realm of early childhood development.

Find out how toxic substances can stunt a child’s development in this paper from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child.

This paper From the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child shows how a child develop and learn from the people the important people in their lives.

Find out how stress and adversity can have a negative impact on early childhood development and how this can be addressed with effective state policies, from the Center on the Developing Child, NCSL and NGA.

A study from CCSSO and Child Trends that explores the developmental disparities between young children ages 0-5 with a low socioeconomic status and their peers.

Learn how to be a more effective advocate for children with ZERO TO THREE’s advocacy tools and resources.

An essay from Dr. Joan Lombardi on the ARRA and early childhood in the new administration.

Lean how to support early literacy and language development in young children in this issue brief from Voices for America's Children.

From The United Way’s Born Learning Campaign, a communication toolkit to help inform business leaders about investments in early childhood.

The Ounce of Prevention argues for increasing investments in early education to even the odds for young poor children, and to reinvest for the future of the community.

A report from the Ounce of Prevention that helps states find ways to fund early childhood programs.

A review of home visiting programs and how they can be improved from the Ounce of Prevention.

A report from National Council of La Raza shows how high quality early childhood education programs can narrow the achievement gap between Latino and other children.

Learn how early education can be used as a tool to reduce crime from Fight Crime: Invest in Kids.

Find out how this toolkit from National Council of La Raza can help advocates build strong effective strategies to help English language learner children.

This brief from the Center on the Developing Child, NCSL and NGA examines the science of a child’s developing brain and discusses the policy implication of the findings.

A collection of ARRA reports and resources from ZERO TO THREE. ARRA Related Links

A collection of ARRA reports and resources from NACCRRA. ARRA Related Links

A collection of ARRA reports and resources from CLASP. ARRA Related Links

An interactive map with state by state appropriations from the Center for American Progress. ARRA 50 State Information

This chart from the Administration for Children and Families shows how ARRA money through the Child Care and Development Block Grant is to be distributed. ARRA 50 State Information

From the Education Commission of the States provides examples of using short term funds to provide long term results. ARRA Guidance and Commentary

Urban Institute researchers take a closer look at key components of ARRA. ARRA Guidance and Commentary

ARRA Models on using Title I dollars to fund Early Care and Education Efforts from CLASP. ARRA Guidance and Commentary

From ZERO TO THREE, a breakdown of early childhood sections of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. ARRA Overviews

This chart from NAEYC lays out the final conference agreement between the House and Senate. ARRA Overviews

An outline of Human Services Provisions contained in ARRA from NCSL. ARRA Overviews

From NCSL, an outline of Education provisions included in ARRA. ARRA Overviews

State childhood and early ed data from CLASP last updated in 2006.

A PowerPoint from CLASP that details ways that ARRA can be used to support women and children. ARRA

From ZERO TO THREE, details the paths taken by several different states in the creation of unique 0-5 systems. 

A governor’s guide to investing in early care and education from NGA. 

In this survey from NCSL, states reported an increase of over  $650 million in total appropriations to early care and education.

This report from NCSL shows an increase of over $1 billion to state early care and education programs from FY 2007 to FY 2008. 

Learn about several recommendations from ZERO TO THREE on how to revise early learning guidelines to improve outcomes for children ages 0-3.

This report discusses policy options for early care and education workforce development from NAEYC.

Dr. Edward Zigler offers suggestions on how to make Title I more effective for young children.

A report from the American Psychological Association that examines the impact early head start has on 3-year-olds and their families.

This report from ZERO TO THREE provides policy recommendations based on the National Evaluation of Head Start.

Danielle Ewen of CLASP outlines the importance of Head Start and Early Head Start as means of support for at risk children.

This report from CLASP, details the growth of pre-kindergarten through community based child care providers. Early Learning

A joint report from CLASP and NWLC explores how ARRA money can fund new child care policy options.

 A report from CLASP lays out 10 policy ideas to improve child care using federal ARRA funds.

From Build, how Quality Rating and Improvement Systems can be used to improve outcomes for English Language Learners.

This report from Build, discusses potential resources for early childhood and how ARRA funds could be used to support Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS).

Federal ARRA Site
U.S. Department of Education ARRA information
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ARRA information

State Recovery Pages

A collection of ARRA reports and resources from NAEYC. ARRA Related Links

In this paper, the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment looks to bridge the gap in perception and treatment between early care and education and K-12 in part, to help develop a coordinated research agenda.