The only organization dedicated solely to helping state boards advance equity and excellence in public education.

May 2024 — Volume 24, No. 2
Preschool for All


Buoyed by evidence of the long-run benefits to children, families, and communities, states have for years been expanding preschool options and enrollment. The state role in early education keeps growing. Authors in this issue of the Standard document how states have expanded access to quality early education, the research that supports these efforts, and the growing pains these initiatives are likely to experience.




Articles


This is a nostalgic image of a young boy playing with an antique toy SUV on a wood floor.

Opportunities and Challenges for Preschool Expansion

By Allison Friedman-Krauss and Steven Barnett

As states adopt a bigger role in preschool, state leaders need to be ready to steer through tough questions of quality, access, funding, and continuous improvement.





Portrait of a happy multi-ethnic group of preschool students in their classroom. The cute children are sitting in a line with their arms around each other. The kids are laughing and smiling directly at the camera.

Universal Pre-K in Tulsa: A Surprising Success

By William Gormley

Longitudinal studies of Tulsa’s universal pre-K program reveal benefits to students that persist as they move through elementary and secondary school and on to college.





Digital marketing. Businessman touching darts aiming at the target center with icon network connection. Business goal and technology concept

An Economic Perspective on Preschool for All

By David M. Blau

Is “preschool for all” the best way to extend access to preschool to the children who need it most?





Happy preschool friends enjoy using an abacus during preschool.

State Strategies for Improving Young Children’s Math Skills

By Deborah Stipek

Early math instruction is as important to young learners' futures as literacy. It's time for math to get the same level of attention.





Little girl crossing a bridge.

California’s Transitional Kindergarten: Lessons Learned

By Anna Powell, Brandy Jones Lawrence and Wanzi Muruvi

States can learn from California's statewide launch of transitional kindergarten, which has impacts on other ECE providers, workforce preparation and compensation, professional development, funding, and program evaluation, as well as implications for system governance.






Opinion


A multi-ethnic group of seven children standing in a row in a school hallway, laughing and smiling at the camera. The little boys and girls are kindergarten or preschool age, 4 to 6 years.

Expanding Access to Quality Early Childhood Education in Arkansas

By Leigh Keener

The state’s LEARNS Act creates the roadmap for a unified system, and the state board has a key role to play.





A female teacher is sitting on the floor with her group of students at a classroom. They are all singing and clapping their hands together to a song.

Illinois’s Bold Bid to Expand Preschool Access to All

By Chris Benson

Through the Smart Start Illinois initiative, Illinois is expanding access to preschool, increasing funding to child care providers to raise wages and quality, and reaching more vulnerable families with early support.







Featured Items

Image Credit: iStock i

Five Questions State Boards Should Ask about Students’ Access to Physical Education

Despite most states requiring participation in physical education, a national survey finds access in K-12 schools is severely lacking. State leaders can improve access to physical education starting with these five questions.
A diverse group of preschoolers in a classroom i

Preschool for All

The state role in early education keeps growing. This Standard details the ways that states have expanded access to quality preschool, the research that supports these efforts, and the growing pains these initiatives are likely to experience.
Photo Credit: iStock i

Six Questions to Advance Media Literacy and Digital Citizenship

Adolescents consume a lot of screen media, which exposes them to potentially harmful media messages that impacts their physical, mental, and social well-being. Read how some states are equipping students with skills to navigate a complex media landscape.

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