Education Policy Program: Publications, Events and More

Obama's New Push for Preschool for At-risk Children | Christian Science Monitor

Cecille Isidro — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:26:00 -0500

But the big investments haven't necessarily been done within a meaningful framework, says Sara Mead, a senior research fellow at the New America Foundation ...

New America Foundation Releases 50-State Survey of Progress on Early Learning Councils

Erin Drankoski — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:41:00 -0500

The New America Foundation's Early Education Initiative today released a report and 50-state survey on how -- and whether -- states are making progress in establishing early learning councils, which are mandated by federal law to be established in each state.

The Next Step in Systems-Building

Education Policy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:44:00 -0500

Today, preschool and other services for young children are delivered through what is widely recognized as a non-system, with programs like child care, pre-kindergarten, special education services and Head Start operating in separate policy silos, each with differing objectives and different funding streams. This uneven and uncoordinated character of early childhood policy can impede access, quality, and return on investment to these programs. Indeed, stories of avoidable dysfunction-of low-income parents who are unaware that their child

Subprime Student Loan Crisis | NHPR

Cecille Isidro — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:46:00 -0500

The New America Foundation's Stephen Burd has been investigating the for-profit college industry for The Washington Monthly and joins us with more on what ...

Big Bird Celebrates Big Day with 'Sesame Street' Anniversary | The NewsHour

Kate Schuler — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:03:00 -0500

On the 40th anniversary of "Sesame Street," Jeffrey Brown explores how the classic PBS program has helped shape childhood education in the United States and around the world. He talks with Lisa Guernsey among others about children's programming. Watch the entire program.

Duncan Looks Beyond Saving Jobs

Erin Drankoski — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:34:00 -0500

If Bedtime Is Book Time, Let's Make Morning Time for Math

Erin Drankoski — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:47:00 -0500

Bedtime = book time. Parents know that equation by heart, or at least they're supposed to. The drill goes like this: Just before the goodnight kiss, we snuggle up with our young kids, open a book, and read with them. Okay, so maybe at first we have to beg them to just settle down. And maybe the baby is more prone to eat the pages than look at them. But still, we try. We're the ones responsible for these little human beings. It's part of our job.

Mathematics, on the other hand, that's not on the must-do list. Reading may be part of the raising-kids routine. Math -- not so much.

Mandatory Christmas Music? | San Francisco Chronicle

Cecille Isidro — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:06:00 -0500

She told New America Foundation: "We were having Christmas without Jesus." The problem is, the draft doesn't explain the difference between a Christmas song ...

'Funding Cliff' Looms Large for States | Education Week

Cecille Isidro — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:46:00 -0500

... and salaries are inherently ongoing expenses,” said Jennifer S. Cohen, a policy analyst at the New America Foundation, a Washington think tank. ...

Continuing Ed: For-Profits | New York Times

Cecille Isidro — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:14:00 -0400

... so your life isn't ruined even if you fail out,” says Stephen Burd, editor of the New America Foundation's Higher Ed Watch blog. ...

The Subprime Student Loan Racket

Erin Drankoski — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:57:00 -0400

PreK-3rd Strategies Can Improve Education in the Golden State

Elizabeth Wu — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:03:00 -0400

Strengthening education in the face of severe state budget problems may seem an impossible goal. But a new report released today by the New America Foundation shows that not only is it possible, it’s already happening. A small but growing number of counties, school districts, and charter schools in California are making progress toward building seamless PreK-3rd early education systems—a promising strategy to narrow achievement gaps and raise student achievement.

CA EVENT: The Future of Early Education Systems in California (Pre K-3rd)

Elizabeth Wu — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
10/29/2009 - 11:30am

As California struggles to close persistent achievement gaps, it is increasingly apparent that these gaps exist at school entry and that efforts to improve the early education systems (PreK-3rd) are warranted. Please join us in the release of "On the Cusp in California: How PreK-3rd Strategies Could Improve Education in the Golden State," a policy paper from New America's Early Education Initiative that highlights key strategies for creating a more seamless system for early learning in California.

On the Cusp in California

Education Policy — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:00:00 -0400

If children are the future, then looking at a state's educational system is like peering into a crystal ball. California is a state teeming with young children -- 4.7 million under age 8, to be exact. One in every eight young American children lives in California. And many of these children come from minority ethnic and racial backgrounds and speak languages other than English. If Americans want to get a glimpse at our future as a "majority minority" country they don't have to look beyond California.

The Subprime Student Loan Racket

Erin Drankoski — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:13:00 -0400

At the age of forty-three, Martine Leveque decided it was time to start over. For several years, she had worked in the movie business, writing subtitles in Italian and French for English-language films, but her employer moved overseas. She then tried her hand at sales, but each time the economy dipped sales tumbled, along with her income, and as a single mother with a teenage son, she wanted a job that offered more security. She decided to pursue a career in nursing, a high-demand field where she could also do some good.

Sara Mead Appointed to DC Public Charter School Board | Examiner.com

Cecille Isidro — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:08:00 -0400

It was announced yesterday that charter school expert and friend Sara Mead was appointment to the DC Public Charter School Board. ...

Do Parents Worsen Childhood Fears? | Dr. Nancy (MSNBC)

Erin Drankoski — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:27:00 -0400

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News,

Even Curious George Can Be Scary

Erin Drankoski — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:41:00 -0400

From the Editors: "Where the Wild Things Are," a film based on Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book, hit theaters on Friday. The book is loved by 4- and 5-year-olds, but this PG-rated movie may well be too scary for them.

Child development experts debate whether, when it comes to the big screen, live-action films are easier for preschoolers to identify with and enjoy than complex animation. But the live-action G-rated movie seems increasingly rare these days.

read more

Bright and Early | Voice of San Diego

Cecille Isidro — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:38:00 -0400

This one is for the wonks: The New America Foundation dissects how federal funding for disadvantaged kids works. They've even got a nifty database. ...