NASBE Releases Reports on Policies to Support Quality Early Education and Remote Learning

Alexandria, VA – The National Association of State Boards of Education today released two reports on state policies for early childhood education. A new policy update focuses on the efforts of some states to make remote learning effective for young learners amid the pandemic. The second report highlights policy recommendations from NASBE’s Early Childhood Education Workgroup on how states can better support early education.

The coronavirus pandemic caused all children to suffer learning loss. However, the youngest learners likely saw the biggest break in their social, emotional, and academic development during distance learning because they learn best from effective human interaction, hands-on exploration, and sensory and physical activities. In “Remote Learning in Early Childhood,” NASBE Director of Early Learning Winona Hao cautions that if online learning is not designed with early childhood in mind, many children will not be able to build a strong foundation for their education and will fail to establish the structure and routines that learning requires.

In “Start Strong: Supporting Early Childhood Education through Policy,” Hao and coauthor Rebecca Cohen urge state boards of education to leverage their existing authority to ensure that all early learners have access to a quality education. They report out the priorities of a workgroup NASBE convened on the topic: access and equity, family engagement, integrated data systems, an equitable and diverse workforce, funding streams and tax revenue, governance, and communication and stakeholder engagement.

“We have long-known the value of early childhood education and its long-term impact on student achievement,” says NASBE President and CEO Robert Hull. “Our youngest students will see the greatest learning losses from the coronavirus pandemic. It is more important than ever for state leaders to examine, strengthen, and develop policies that promote high quality education for all young learners.  States have a unique opportunity to re-envision what learning will look like for all learners when returning to school—now is the time to think strategically and act boldly.”

NASBE serves as the only membership organization for state boards of education. A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, NASBE elevates state board members’ voices in national and state policymaking, facilitates the exchange of informed ideas, and supports members in advancing equity and excellence in public education for students of all races, genders, and circumstances.

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