Governing early care and education systems is complex, with multiple agencies overseeing several programs (e.g., home visiting, child care, state pre-K, early intervention, quality improvement systems and more). Though these programs can all contribute to a child’s early development, they are often siloed, making alignment and coordination difficult. Fragmentation can impact states’ abilities to provide cohesive and high-quality support for young children and their families to ensure strong foundations are developed for school readiness.
This 50-State Comparison and its accompanying Policy Outline provide data on states’ early care and education governance systems, with a focus on the agencies that oversee these programs, the level of alignment of these programs and the advisory entities for early care and education in the state. Education Commission of the States has researched the policies and regulations that guide these key components in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to provide this comprehensive resource. Click on the questions below for 50-State Comparisons, showing how all states approach specific policies, or view a specific state’s approach by going to the individual state profiles page.
Key Takeaways
- Early care and education systems comprise several programs and services. Across the country, these various programs and services are housed in a collection of agencies, including the following departments: education, children and families, health/public health, human/social services, economic/workforce, developmental/rehabilitation, welfare, and myriad nonprofit organizations and postsecondary entities.
- The governance structures of states’ early care and education systems vary significantly. States generally fall into one of three categories:
- Created (the state has created an agency to oversee several early care and education components). Eleven states fall into this category.
- Consolidated (the state has consolidated several agencies or programs into one entity). Fourteen states plus the District of Columbia fall into this category.
- Coordinated (the state has various agencies that provide programs and services that require coordination). Twenty-five states fall into this category.
- The Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 requires every state to establish an advisory council with specific responsibilities. Nearly all states and the District of Columbia have active councils, but their additional responsibilities, membership, reporting and staffing requirements vary significantly.
Click on the items below to see data for all states.
50-State Comparisons
- What is the state's governance structure?
- What is the name of the primary oversight entity?
- What year was the entity created?
- If applicable, what is the enabling statute, regulation or executive order?
- What is the name of the advisory entity?
- Is the advisory entity defined in statute, regulation or executive order?
- Does the entity have staffing requirements or otherwise address staffing?
To view a specific state’s approach, go to the state profiles page. Click here for all data points.
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