Hawaiʻi and Maryland Join NASBE’s Early Childhood Education State Network to Advance Early Learning

Alexandria, Va.—The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) welcomes the Hawaiʻi and Maryland state boards of education to the NASBE Early Childhood Education (ECE) State Network. This year, NASBE focused on engaging states eager to lead innovative efforts that build on existing strategies to enhance learning for children from birth to third grade, while also supporting the ECE workforce.

NASBE established the ECE State Network in 2017, and members have since made significant progress, demonstrating state boards’ key roles in leading initiatives to advance ECE. Hawaiʻi and Maryland will join 12 other state boards in the network: California, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Washington, Guam, and the District of Columbia.

Hawaiʻi is committed to creating policies that support high-quality early learning environments and recognize the impact of a well-trained education workforce on child outcomes. The Hawaiʻi State Board of Education is working collaboratively to establish an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to support early childhood service providers’ participation in state- and federally approved apprenticeship programs.

“Hawaiʻi has spent decades building a strong foundation for a high-quality early learning system for all children,” said Roy Takumi, chair of the Hawaiʻi state board. “As we expand access to pre-K, it’s crucial to also prioritize the development and support of the early education workforce. The Hawaiʻi state board is grateful for the opportunity to join NASBE’s ECE Network, which will help us drive systemic improvements and support the educator pipeline through policy and collaboration.”

The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future emphasizes expanding full-day, mixed-delivery prekindergarten for three- and four-year-olds. To further this goal, the Maryland State Board of Education is creating an Early Childhood Education and Care Task Force to convene stakeholders, provide input on policies, and strengthen the state’s early childhood network.

“The Maryland state board is excited to join NASBE’s ECE Network. Our goal is to be a national leader in providing access to high-quality childcare and pre-K for all Marylanders,” said state board president Dr. Josh Michael. “We look forward to sharing our work in fostering engagement with members of our early childhood community and growing alongside other state partners to better serve our youngest children and early childhood workforce.”

“It’s been nearly a decade since NASBE renewed its focus on early childhood education. While state ECE governance has evolved in that time, state boards remain a strong and steady force in advancing policies that support the early childhood workforce from birth through age eight,” said NASBE President and CEO Paolo DeMaria. We are proud to see so many state boards use their authority to address the needs of our youngest learners, and we are glad to support Hawaiʻi and Maryland in this vital work.”

NASBE’s ECE Network is supported by the Foundation for Child Development, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Bainum Family Foundation. To learn more about the network and opportunities to get involved, contact Winona Hao, NASBE’s director of early learning.

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