In following some of the outside links to the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) website I found many interesting blogs about early childhood education, policy matters, and classroom struggles. There was also a link to the Preschool Matters...Today! newsletter that had articles about the recent State of the Union address that was given. In searching one of the areas of the NIEER the section called Early Education in the news it lead me to a site called Education Week: Politics K-12. This site had open discussion forums for early educators, advocates, or anyone else interested in the education of children. The forums have various areas in which you can participate in from testing and accountability, professional development, teaching profession, to current events. In following the e-newsletter the new information that I discovered was areas where various upcoming conference updates are posted along with early education news articles from around the United States. There were also resource postings for teachers, advocates, and families.
The e-newsletter had an article called Governor's Early Childhood Education Investment Plans in which six state governors were highlighted due to their proposed early childhood education funding. Another article worth mentioning was regarding how Mississippi legislature has approved proposals to introduce a Pre-K program for 4 year olds using public-private partnerships and local matching funds. This weeks search through the NIEER website just exposed me to more of the politics that are occurring around and about early childhood education which is something that I need to be more aware of as I continue on in my professional journey.
It is great to hear of the early childhood field finding its way into such important matters. It is so important to get policy makers on board with the needs of young children. Change can not occur with out the finances and support of others.
ReplyDeleteBy living in Mississippi I'm so glad that the government has decided to put prek programs in all school district. This way all children will have a chance to attend. As of now, prek classes are only in certain schools and districts.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it incredibly exciting that, for once, the politics seem to align with the needs of children? Let's home this momentum builds into solidly funded, long-lived opportunities for children.
ReplyDeleteI have bookmarked the link to the e-newsletter and plan to read it myself. Thank you!