Pre-K & Early Childhood

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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

    Dive Awards

    The K-12 Dive Awards for 2022

    These leaders are shaping the nation’s schools with commitments to high expectations, strong relationships and robust career exploration models.

    By • Nov. 21, 2022
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    Juanmonino via Getty Images

    NAEYC ‘22: Respond to challenging behaviors in young children by changing teacher perspectives

    Shifting views of unwanted behaviors from blaming the child to understanding their actions is key, a South Carolina program director told attendees.

    By • Nov. 18, 2022
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    SolStock via Getty Images

    NAEYC ‘22: Wellness tools piloted to reduce stress, increase retention for early educators

    Increasing self-confidence, optimism and autonomy can benefit teachers and their young students, speakers said.

    By • Nov. 17, 2022
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    Christopher Furlong via Getty Images

    New Mexico voters overwhelmingly OK universal pre-K

    In creating a permanent revenue source for the program, the state is set to become the first in the nation to make pre-K for all a constitutional right.

    By • Nov. 11, 2022
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    Pongtep Chithan via Getty Images

    Youngest students show achievement declines post-pandemic

    NWEA MAP Growth assessment in 2021-22 shows lower performance compared to 2018-19 results.

    By • Nov. 9, 2022
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    DGLimages via Getty Images

    45% of early childhood educators report high burnout, stress

    In a national survey, respondents considering leaving the profession cited staffing shortages and mental health challenges among top stressors.

    By • Oct. 10, 2022
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    Mario Villafuerte via Getty Images

    Ed Dept, HHS issue joint letter reiterating special ed requirements for young children

    While acknowledging pandemic challenges, a joint letter warned that delayed evaluations and placement concerns could run afoul of IDEA.

    By • Oct. 6, 2022
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    Permission granted by Erin Lubin Photography via National Head Start Association

    Investigation finds safety violations among 27% of Head Start grant recipients

    A Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General report identified 454 incidents of abuse in facilities nationwide.

    By • Updated Sept. 30, 2022
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    Christopher Furlong via Getty Images

    California governor vetoes mandatory kindergarten bill

    Gov. Gavin Newsom said the $268 million cost made the proposal unworkable, even if the intentions are laudable.

    By • Sept. 27, 2022
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    kali9 via Getty Images

    Health and Human Services drops mask requirement for Head Start programs

    The universal mandate had remained in effect despite changes to COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    By • Sept. 19, 2022
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    Halfpoint via Getty Images

    More at-risk children and families need voluntary home visits

    A Council For A Strong America report details how a federal home visiting program set to expire Sept. 30 serves a fraction of the families most in need.

    By • Sept. 14, 2022
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    Justin Sullivan / Getty via Getty Images

    California may become 20th state to mandate kindergarten

    A bill on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk follows a drop in public school enrollment numbers largely attributed to the nation's youngest learners.

    By • Sept. 8, 2022
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    Illustration: Ivan Haidutski for Industry Dive

    Tracker

    Rising Leaders: 10 standout assistant principals and district leaders you should know in 2022-23

    These exceptional administrators make the grade on inclusive practices, curriculum innovation, data-driven decision-making and more.

    By • Aug. 31, 2022
  • Young child looks out of window from a yellow school bus, which has the words Head Start printed on the side.
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    Mario Villafuerte via Getty Images

    National Head Start Association says COVID-19 rule disruptive to programs

    The organization argues that conflicting mandates are creating barriers for children to access the federal early education programs.

    By • Updated Aug. 19, 2022
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    Kalinovskiy via Getty Images

    Unstructured, longer play time called key to early learning

    Children learn valuable skills through play that contribute to pre-reading and math development, play advocates said.

    By • Aug. 5, 2022
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    Daria Nipot via Getty Images

    States invest pandemic relief funds into early education workforce

    Federal aid is being spent on compensation, mental health supports and professional development, an NASBE analysis shows.

    By • Aug. 3, 2022
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    Christopher Furlong via Getty Images

    What can pre-K programs do to rebound from enrollment dips?

    Braiding revenues and working with partners are among options that can help improve early education access, said speakers at OSEP's annual conference.

    By • July 21, 2022
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    Aaron Hawkins/iStock via Getty Images

    Collaborations needed to boost K-12, higher ed enrollments

    Kentucky has brought together experts from early childhood through the workplace to strengthen the education pipeline.

    By • July 15, 2022
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    John Moore via Getty Images

    U of Cincinnati to offer online nature-based early learning degree

    The number of nature-based preschools has more than doubled in the past three years.  

    By K-12 Dive staff • July 13, 2022
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images

    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
  • Young child looks out of window from a yellow school bus, which has the words Head Start printed on the side.
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    Mario Villafuerte via Getty Images

    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 • June 23, 2022
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    U.S. Department of Education

    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
  • National Head Start early learning preschool
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    Permission granted by National Head Start Association

    '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 • June 3, 2022
  • Packaging for a pediatric formulation of Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine
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    Courtesy of Pfizer

    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
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images

    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 • May 12, 2022