Third Grade Reading Policies PDF - This paper outlines state policies relating to 3rd-grade reading proficiency, including identification of, intervention for, and retention of struggling readers in the P-3 grades. The paper provides a state-by-state policy summary, sample statutory language, and highlights from bills enacted this year. (Stephanie Rose, ECS, August 2012) ...

2012 State of the State Addresses: Governors' Top Education Issues PDF - This analysis highlights the education issues prioritized by governors and the mayor of Washington, D.C. in their 2012 state of the state addresses. The state leaders explained that increasing the quality and availability of education, from preschool through postsecondary, was essential to recovering from the recession, spurring economic growth, remaining competitive, and to the health and well-being of each state's citizens. Top issues include Finance (K-12 & Postsecondary), Teaching Quality, Postsecondary Affordability/Access, School Choice, Workforce Development, Early Learning (P-3), and Reading and Literacy....

12 for 2012 - 12 for 2012 is an ECS “read of the field,” built on our scrutiny of new reports and research, and our analysis of emerging drivers of change. The 12 policy areas do not represent an exhaustive list of the critical issues for the coming year, nor is this report intended to dictate your education policy priorities for 2012. Rather, 12 for 2012 is intended to stimulate thinking around how best to craft the “2.0” of powerful policy across the states. (ECS, 2012)...

The Progress of Education Reform: Pre-K-12 Literacy PDF - This issue of The Progress of Education Reform examines: 1) low K-12 literacy levels nationally, especially for low-income and diverse student populations; 2) trends on U.S. students’ reading proficiency since the 1970s; 3) the negative impacts correlated with low reading levels; and 4) policy recommendations for improving literacy instruction and achievement, particularly in the early grades. (Karen Schimke, ECS, December 2011)...

The Road to High-Quality Early Education PDF - Quality in early childhood programs will be essential if children are to be proficient readers at the end of 3rd grade. This brief highlights Colorado’s efforts to create structures and governance to support quality. A second part of the brief describes one classroom-level approach to achieving high-quality early education. (Stephanie Rose and Karen Schimke, ECS, December 2011)...

Pre-K-3 Newsletter, November 2011 PDF - The November issue of the ECS Pre-K-3 newsletter includes several notes on activities in the states, an update to the Race-to-the-Top Early Learning Initiative, and recent reports which are of interest to educators and policymakers working to improve Pre-K to 3rd grade education. (Education Commission of the States, November 2011)...

Pre-K-3 Newsletter, October 2011 PDF - The October issue of the ECS Pre-K-3 newsletter includes several good reads of issues relevant to early educators and links to four very informative tables from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2012 including changes in readiness skills from 1993-2007 and parental involvement in home literacy activities....

PreK-Grade 3 Reading and Literacy Practices That Matter PDF - This Research Review is a snapshot of five recent research studies that address reading and literacy in the early grades. The studies examine topics such as: parental investment in education, instructional practices in a balanced literacy approach, late-emerging reading difficulties, phonics and integrated language arts, and family literacy programs. (ECS, October 2011)...

From the ECS State Policy Database: P-3 Early Grades--1-3 - This policy database—updated weekly—is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States....

Preschool: How ready is ready for school? - Access related research titles from the ECS Research Studies Database. Links embedded in titled will take you to each study's major findings and recommendations....

From the ECS State Policy Database: P-3 Grades 1-3 - This policy database—updated weekly—is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States....

Progress of Education Reform: Chronic Early Absence PDF - This issue of The Progress of Education Reform looks at two recent research studies on the issue of chronic early absence and addresses the following: 1) What are the impacts of chronic early absence? 2) Why has it been overlooked? 3) What contributes to chronic early absence? and 4) What can be done to reduce chronic absence in the early grades? (Mimi Howard, Education Commission of the States, March 2010)...

Transition and Alignment: Two Keys to Assuring Student Success PDF - This policy brief looks at Transition and Alignment — two key components for creating continuity across early learning and the early grades and provides examples of successful state efforts. (Mimi Howard, Education Commission of the States, February 2010)...

Making the Case for P-3 PDF - Supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the SPARK initiative, this ECS Issue Paper presents a concise and highly operational definition of P-3, outlining key guiding principles and provides a compelling case for "why P-3 now?" To that end, the paper includes arguments from both research and experience that address: How P-3 benefits children in the early years and early grades; How P-3 makes education reform more child-friendly; and How P-3 benefits state and local policymakers. (Kristie Kauerz, Education Commission of the States, July 2007)...