Page 2 – Early Learning Nation

Early Ed, Rebounding After COVID: Report Shows Pre-K Enrollment Hitting Record Levels

Mississippi and New Mexico were among the top states making gains in the 2022 school year.

Linda Jacobson·Oct 2, 2024·5 min read

Four-year-olds entering pre-K in Mississippi’s Lamar County Schools don’t spend their days on worksheets or bent over papers practicing their...

3 Top Takeaways from Learning from This Moment

A Conversation with Early Childhood Philanthropic Leaders

Mark Swartz·Jul 2, 2020·3 min read

Because we can’t take our Early Learning Nation Studio on the road during this time, stay tuned as ELN recaps...

Darrius Knight: Closing the Communications Gap Between America’s Adults & Youths; and Fighting for Justice, from Prison Reform To Covid-19 Vaccines

The Editors·Mar 30, 2022·4 min read

As the City of Dublin (GA) Youth Council Mayor and a NLC Youth Leader, Darrius Knight is working to help adults and youths better understand each other. The key is communication. He also advocates for prison reform.

Mind Field: One Topic, Six Experts

#3: Literacy

The Editors·May 11, 2021·10 min read

Early Learning Nation explores the world of early learning by connecting with advocates, community leaders, early learning professionals, parents and...

Study Finds Preschool Programs Reserved for Disadvantaged Children Not as Effective as Universal Programs that Include Higher-Income Families

Kendra Hurley·Feb 16, 2023·5 min read

New York City’s popular 3-K-for-All program was supposed to offer free preschool to all of the city’s 3-year-olds. But last...

6-Year-Olds in England Get a Phonics Check. American Kids Should Get One, Too

Aldeman: Having students read a list of 40 words — some real, some not — and pass with an 80 or better has driven dramatic increases in performance

Chad Aldeman·Feb 20, 2025·4 min read

I’m going to give you a reading test. Ready? Say these words out loud: Chip Hill Jars Bep Fod Glork...

Opinion: Raising Child Care Ratios is a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Idea

Elliot Haspel·Mar 15, 2022·3 min read

One of “Aesop’s Fables” goes like this: “A group of pigeons, terrified by the appearance of a Kite, called upon...

States, Time to Step Up on Child Care

Elliot Haspel·Mar 1, 2022·8 min read

Elliot’s Provocations unpacks current events in the early learning world and explores how we can chart a path to a...

How to Build Early Learning Communities: Tonja Rucker, National League of Cities

The Editors·Nov 23, 2018·8 min read

Tonja Rucker, program director for Early Childhood Success at the National League of Cities, discusses the universal message crossing partisan divides, all sectors and audiences, that to have vibrant, thriving cities, families must be strong. Watch to learn more.

Advocates for More Child Care Spending Push “Crisis” Report: White House and 2020 Presidential Candidates Weigh In

Tom Kertscher·May 30, 2019·4 min read

From the White House to statehouses, there are indications that government leaders are poised to spend more on child care....

Working from Home in West Virginia, Championing #PaidLeaveforAll in Her Spare Time

Mark Swartz·Sep 27, 2021·3 min read

If Tiffany Gale got eight full hours of sleep a night, she’d never be able to get everything done. In...

Giana Rocha: ‘No One Should Ever Feel Alone’

The Editors·Mar 30, 2022·6 min read

As an NLC Youth Representative and a member of the Brighton (CO) Youth Commission, Giana Rocha partners with adult leaders to help youth access the tools they need to be involved and make change. One area for impact: Helping peers with mental health issues know that support is always there.

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