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Early Care and Education

Encompassing education supports ranging from birth through third grade, early care and education (ECE) capitalizes on providing high-quality programs and services to build strong foundations for young children. It is also inextricably connected to supporting parents and the economy.

This page includes issues such as child care, early intervention, pre-K, quality rating and improvement systems, school readiness and the ECE workforce.

Recently Published Resources

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Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

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Policy Brief

Governors’ Top Education Priorities in 2026 State of the State Addresses

State of the State addresses offer new and incumbent governors a platform to elevate their priorities and successes. Since 2005, we’ve tracked, analyzed and identified education policy trends in these […]

Maximizing Early Care and Education Funding

Families with young children face a variety of barriers to securing convenient, affordable and high-quality child care before kindergarten. These barriers are especially pronounced for families who cannot afford the […]

50-State Comparison: State Data Dictionaries and Manuals

States often publish data dictionaries or manuals that showcase which data elements their systems collect. This resource links to every public education-to-workforce data dictionary, data manual, or related document our […]

Ed Note Blog Posts

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Early Education (P-3)

Keeping Momentum for the Science of Reading in Alaska

In recent years, many states have implemented policies related to the Science of Reading in hopes of boosting student achievement. But how do you keep the momentum going after your state passes comprehensive early literacy legislation? […]

Early Education (P-3)

Leveraging Data to Improve Early Childhood Outcomes

State leaders face complex decisions about how to allocate resources, improve program delivery, and ensure children receive the support they need to thrive. This has always been the case, but […]

Why Salt Lake City Is the Place to Be This July

The coming years present opportunities for education policy as state leadership on education policy becomes more central than ever to student outcomes. Written 60 years ago, Education Commission of the […]

Early Education (P-3)

What’s New in the Early Care and Education Governance Landscape?

The years before formal schooling are vital for children’s physical, cognitive and social development. Providing high-quality preschool environments is a pivotal opportunity to prevent developmental disparities that are often already […]

Early Education (P-3)

Six pre-K students sit on around their teacher on a colorful foam mat in their classroom.

How Can State Policymakers Foster Integrated Early Learning Environments?

Integrated learning environments can lead to academic and social benefits for children, however, most early care and education (ECE) programs are largely segregated as a function of both neighborhood segregation […]

Early Education (P-3)

Grandparents sit on a sofa with their infant grandchild on their laps. They are all reading a storybook together.

Building Pre-Literacy Skills in Pre-K Settings

State policymakers have been actively introducing legislation to address literacy development, building on the momentum of the science of reading push in recent years. Despite limited research on the impact […]

Early Education (P-3)

A group of young students sit in front of their teacher mimicking the teacher's movements while playing a game.

Michigan’s Caring for MI Future Through Expanded Child Care Access

Every family deserves access to quality early learning and care — regardless of their zip code, economic status or their children’s ages. But, in Michigan (like nearly every state across […]

Early Education (P-3)K-12

Early Grade Literacy: Is Third Grade Retention Effective?

In 2023, 14 governors noted the importance of literacy in their State of the State addresses. Ten governors specifically highlighted efforts to improve early grade literacy for kindergarten through third […]

Early Education (P-3)High School K-12 Postsecondary

Connect and Strategize at the 2023 National Forum

This summer, we’re excited to invite you to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the 2023 National Forum on Education Policy. Minneapolis, a vibrant and diverse city, boasts an encouraging motto, “En Avant,” […]

Early Education (P-3)

A parent holds their young child’s hand as they walk out of a child care center. The bottom left corner of the image says, “guest post.”

As Federal Relief Funding for Early Care and Education Fades, States Step In

Federal COVID-19 relief funds have been a lifeline for early care and education programs, but this funding is temporary. With deadlines approaching, states have an opportunity to push forward policies […]

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Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.

Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.

Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.