Pre-K & Early Childhood

Self-directed lessons can help educators identify gifted learners

Educators can identify gifted qualities at young ages when early reading, quickness in learning and other qualities may become apparent.

By Lauren Barack • June 29, 2022

Study: Head Start provides opportunities to break cycle of poverty across generations

Positive outcomes include higher educational attainment and decreases in teen pregnancy, but progress remains on diversity and inclusion, advocates say.

By Kara Arundel • June 23, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

The K-12 Dive Outlook on 2022

To help keep you up to speed, K-12 Dive has gathered our 2022 outlook coverage as a one-stop resource on the trends and leaders to watch in the months ahead.

By K-12 Dive staff

Expectations for ESSER: The benefits and limits of the historic investment

We’ve gathered all three parts of our series examining the goals stakeholders have for federal relief funds in one place for your convenience.

June 14, 2022

'We can't out-pay Walmart': Head Start classrooms close after staff turnover

In a survey, an overwhelming 90% of respondents said they had to close classrooms permanently or temporarily due to lack of personnel. 

By Naaz Modan • June 3, 2022

Pfizer says 3 doses of its COVID-19 vaccine work in youngest children

The drugmaker, along with partner BioNTech, plans to submit the new data to the FDA this week. The agency has scheduled a meeting for outside experts to review the data in mid-June.

By Jonathan Gardner • May 23, 2022

Report: Professional development needed to address early childhood discipline disparities

Colorado and Illinois are developing strategies to alleviate staff shortages and increased stress that contribute to the problem.

By Anna Merod • May 12, 2022

Pandemic to blame for first pre-K enrollment drop in 20 years

Both enrollment and funding fell in 2020-21, but some states offset spending decreases by tapping federal relief funding, an NIEER report shows.

By Kara Arundel • April 26, 2022

How can equity be prioritized in early ed quality metrics?

A Trust for Learning resource offers guidance on how to more holistically consider the quality of programs for children ages birth to 8.

By Kara Arundel • March 25, 2022

We want to hear about your school district's rising leaders

For a second year, K-12 Dive's Rising Leaders is looking for trailblazing assistant principals and district leaders to spotlight.

By Roger Riddell • March 24, 2022

SXSW EDU 2022: Our recap of Austin's ed innovation extravaganza

We've rounded up all of our coverage from this year's show in one location for your convenience.

March 22, 2022

Empathy versus empathic accuracy: what's the difference?

Kognito uses experiential learning to demonstrate empathy vs. empathic accuracy.

March 21, 2022

Why devaluing family child care deprives children's development

A family child care expert shares how school leaders can benefit from working closely with a broader range of early childhood ed providers.

By Janna Wagner • March 18, 2022

Day 3 at SXSW EDU 2022: Cardona raises student voice, district leaders discuss population shifts

The Austin ed innovation festival's third day also included principal pipeline equity discussions and a hip-hop icon promoting student mental health.

By Roger Riddell , Anna Merod • March 10, 2022

Day 2 at SXSW EDU 2022: Culture wars, 'future-proofing' classrooms, and disrupting racial inequity

The Austin, Texas, education innovation conference continued Tuesday with conversations on media literacy, workforce pathways and more.

By Roger Riddell , Anna Merod • March 8, 2022

Day 1 at SXSW EDU 2022: Retrieval practice, universal meals and revolutionizing assessment

Couldn't make it to Austin, Texas? Get caught up on conversations around learning pods, classroom models and more.

By Roger Riddell , Anna Merod • March 7, 2022

Parent-educator tool aims to support behavior interventions for young children

The Family Notebook was built to share communications between home and school about progress in a child's behavior supports.

By Kara Arundel • Feb. 4, 2022

8 K-12 trends to watch in 2022

Fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing policy pingpong, curricular controversy and more are set to impact schools this year.

By Roger Riddell , Kara Arundel , Naaz Modan , Anna Merod • Jan. 4, 2022

Head Start classrooms close as vaccination mandate looms

The mandate was intended to keep classrooms open, but with staff unwilling to get vaccinated, the opposite is happening.

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 15, 2021

Analysis: Pre-K enrollment rose prior to pandemic

Enrollment trends were also shifting in favor of public preschool programs over those privately operated.

By Naaz Modan • Nov. 29, 2021

How can school districts include family child care programs in pre-K offerings?

Advocates say creating a more cohesive early childhood support system with options for families could help better prepare children for kindergarten.

By Kara Arundel • Oct. 14, 2021

Report: Kindergarten entry assessments key to knowing instructional needs

A Learning Policy Institute analysis suggests measuring kindergartners' school readiness is especially critical to inform instruction after COVID-19.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 11, 2021

Quality PD, curriculum frameworks critical for robust early childhood ed

Early learning experts in a virtual discussion expressed optimism that federal relief can help advance young children’s academic and social development.

By Kara Arundel • June 29, 2021

NCES: 3% school enrollment drop is largest decline in over two decades

Numbers confirm enrollment dips were most pronounced in pre-K, making tracking those students all the more difficult for districts.

By Naaz Modan • Updated June 29, 2021

Early childhood must be overhauled to improve pay, career pathways

A senior researcher at the Wellesley Centers for Women writes a new approach to early childhood is needed to attract and retain workers.

By Wendy Wagner Robeson • June 14, 2021

Reading tutors help prepare early learners for kindergarten

Shevrin Jones, executive director of Florida's Reading Corps, says reading is the one foundation for children that can't be overlooked.

By Kara Arundel • June 2, 2021