Early Education Initiative
Considerable research demonstrates that to improve student performance, public investment in education and education policy reform should begin with the period of pre-kindergarten to third grade (PK-3). Thus far nationally, the effort has been piecemeal at best. Head Start is available to only approximately half of all eligible children. States vary considerably in access to early education and the quality of their programs. Perhaps most importantly, elementary schools regularly fail to align with pre-kindergarten programs.
New America’s Early Education Initiative promotes a comprehensive, coordinated education system beginning at age three. Our policy recommendations include: universal access to preschool, full-day kindergarten programs, and innovative strategies to finance both and align state and national early learning standards, support and expand a highly qualified PK- 3 workforce, and extend learning time options for young children. For more information on the Early Education Initiative, click here.
Advisory Panel
The Early Education Initiative's Advisory Panel includes a wide range of experts in the field, including leading academics, advocates, and practitioners. The Advisory Panel provides expert advice and opinion during the planning of the Early Education Initiative's Issue Briefs. In addition, the Advisory Panel reviews Issue Briefs in advance of publication.
Our Advisory Panel includes:
Dr. Steven Barnett
Director
National Institute for Early Education
Dr. Barbara T. Bowman
Professor
Erikson Institute
Dr. Libby Doggett
Executive Director
Pre-K NowWashington, D.C.
Ms. Marsha H. Moore
Commissioner
Bright from the Start – Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
Ms. Adele Robinson
Senior Director, Public Policy and Communications
National Association for the Education of Young Children
To view the complete listing, click here.
Articles
| Article | Date |
|---|---|
| Continuing the Investment | November 19, 2007 |
| The Case for Pre-K | July 18, 2007 |
Policy Papers
| Title | Date |
|---|---|
| Partners In Closing the Achievement Gap | March 2008 |
| 10 New Ideas for Early Education in the NCLB Reauthorization | November 2007 |
| The Key to NCLB Success: Getting it Right From the Start | May 2007 |
| Teacher Quality in Grades PK-3: Challenges and Options | October 2006 |
| A Dissent to 'Closing the Achievement Gap' | August 2006 |
| Closing the Achievement Gap | July 2006 |
| Ladders of Learning | January 2006 |
| Building a 21st Century Economy | December 2005 |
Events
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| An Ounce of Prevention | September 9, 2008 |
| No Child Left Behind and Early Education: Prospects for 2008 | November 29, 2007 |
| The Next No Child Left Behind Act | May 21, 2007 |
| Ready to Teach? PK-3 and NCLB | October 19, 2006 |
| Closing the Achievement Gap | July 25, 2006 |
| Fighting Fade-Out in Education | January 19, 2006 |
| Building a 21st Century Economy | December 13, 2005 |
Press
| Headline | Date |
|---|---|
| Sara Mead on NPR's On Point with Tom Ashbrook | 'Beyond 'No Child'' | September 9, 2008 |
| Sara Mead in Politico | "Hopefuls' Education Plans Show Divides" | May 27, 2008 |
| Sara Mead in New York Times | Teaching Boys and Girls Separately | March 2, 2008 |
| Sara Mead in Macleans | 'Playtime's Over' | January 16, 2008 |
| Sara Mead Featured in Education Week on 10 Ways to Tweak NCLB | November 30, 2007 |
| Sara Mead in Education Week on 'The Next Education President' | November 7, 2007 |
| The National Journal Profiles Sara Mead | June 30, 2007 |
| New America Launches Early Education Reform Initiative | April 17, 2006 |
Staff
Program Staff
- MaryEllen McGuire
Director, Education Policy Program
- Sara Mead
Director, Early Education Initiative, Education Policy Program
- Heather Rieman
Senior Policy Analyst, Education Policy Program
- Christina Satkowski
Research Associate, Education Policy Program
Click on any name above for additional information.
National Teacher of the Year at NAF Early Ed Event
2006 National Teacher of the Year Kimberly Oliver spoke at the New America Foundation's October 19th event. Ms. Oliver is a Kindergarten teacher at Broad Acres Elementary School in Silver Spring, Maryland. When Ms. Oliver arrived at Broad Acres in 2000, the school was on the verge of being restructured by the state due to poor academic performance. However, Ms. Oliver and the school embraced their own version of the PK-3 vision and have made the school a model for others to follow. Ms. Oliver is a strong believer in universal pre-K, full day Kindergarten, as well as aligned and coordinated curriculum, assessment and instruction. Ms. Oliver helped to create programs that ensure consistency across and between educational levels. Her love of children, enthusiasm for teaching and strong professionalism make her an outstanding National Teacher of the Year. Ms. Oliver is a tremendous advocate on behalf of high-quality education for children in grades PK-3.
Click here to read a transcript of her remarks.
To view video of Ms. Oliver's remarks, go to the Event Page.
Funded by the Foundation for Child Development
The New America Foundation's Early Education Initiative is funded exclusively through a generous grant awarded by the Foundation for Child Development.
