P-3: Tackling Achievement Gaps Early PDF - This PowerPoint, presented at ECS’ 2012 National Forum on Education Policy, discusses the what and why of a P-3 framework, examines key challenges and presents strategies for state policy. (Kristie Kauerz, University of Washington, July 2012)...

A Framework for State Leadership and Action in Building the Components of an Early Childhood System - This brief provides an overview of exemplary state policies that contribute to each of four components of a comprehensive early childhood system – early learning; family support; special needs/early intervention; and health, mental health and nutrition. A section is also devoted to state actions that increase coordination among these four areas. (Charles Bruner, BUILD, 2011)...

Vision to Practice: Setting a New Course for Early Childhood Governance - This paper about early childhood governance suggests little agreement exists on what should be done to accomplish consolidated governance structures for early childhood. Interviewees did not believe in any one best governance structure and questioned if a coherent structure is even feasible in the near future. Authors advise that stakeholders articulate activities that can help a state achieve more coherence and coordination in its ECE system before focusing on any one governance structure. (Goffin Strategy Group, January 2011)...

Building Ready States: A Governor’s Guide to Supporting a Comprehensive, High-Quality Early Childhood State System - This brief by the National Governors Association, advises governors on building comprehensive early childhood system. The document discusses early childhood research, programs that provide comprehensive supports to young children and their families, and infrastructure for program coordination. Finally, the brief presents specific recommendations for the governors in 2010. (Rachel Demma, National Governors Association, October 2010)...

How Early Childhood Advisory Councils Can Succeed in Gubernatorial Transitions - A brief from Education Counsel provides advice on how early childhood advisory councils can work effectively with newly elected officials and balance good policies with smart politics. (Elliot Regenstein and Stacie Goffin, Education Counsel, September 2010)...

The Next Step in Systems-Building - This brief highlights state progress in creating Early Childhood Advisory Councils (ECACs) as of 2009 and shares recommendations to make ECACs more effective. The brief also provides a state-by-state accounting of ECAC development, finding that 19 states had identified an ECAC, and 30 others were in the process of doing so. (South Dakota decided not to apply for stimulus funding and currently has no plans to create a council.) Some of states’ priorities for federal funding included: hiring support staff, improving professional development systems, developing longitudinal data systems and investing in quality rating and improvement systems.(New America Foundation, November 2009)...