Home - Early Learning Nation

Analysis: Public School Pre-K Teachers Are Professionals, But Aren’t Treated That Way

From pay to professional development to coordination with colleagues in higher grades, schools have a long way to go, study finds

Jill Cannon, Elizabeth Steiner and Anna Shapiro··3 min read
States are investing in expanding their pre-K programs. More than 1.5 million children were enrolled in a state-funded pre-K in 2022-23, about twice the number who attended in 2002, and thousands more were in locally funded programs. An estimated 60% of public elementary schools now have a pre-K classroom. That adds up to 70,000 or more pre-K teachers working inside U.S. public schools — a growing workforce that warrants distinct consideration and research as states...
Read More

History Lessons Matter, Even in Preschool

Stillinger: Nothing is as compelling to a child as another child’s story, so my students learn about young people who helped create change.

Suzanne Stillinger··3 min read
When people hear that I work in a preschool, they can easily picture me pretending to drink tea, pinky up from a plastic cup, the...
Read More

Analysis: Public School Pre-K Teachers Are Professionals, But Aren’t Treated That Way

From pay to professional development to coordination with colleagues in higher grades, schools have a long way to go, study finds

Jill Cannon, Elizabeth Steiner and Anna Shapiro··3 min read
States are investing in expanding their pre-K programs. More than 1.5 million children were enrolled in a state-funded pre-K in 2022-23, about twice the number who attended in 2002, and thousands more were in locally funded programs. An estimated 60% of public elementary schools now have a pre-K classroom. That...
Read More

History Lessons Matter, Even in Preschool

Stillinger: Nothing is as compelling to a child as another child’s story, so my students learn about young people who helped create change.

Suzanne Stillinger··3 min read
When people hear that I work in a preschool, they can easily picture me pretending to drink tea, pinky up from a plastic cup, the...
Read More

Explore our series:

Elliot's Provocations→

Elliot Haspel unpacks current events and explores possibilities for flourishing futures

Research Lab→

Groundbreaking research—from neuroscience, policy and practice—that increases knowledge and helps create more equitable communities and lives

SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

“The End User Is a Dollar Sign, It’s Not a Child”: How Private Equity and Shareholders Are Reshaping American Child Care

An unprecedented degree of investor activity is creating a cascade of risks for the sector, risks which threaten the path toward an inclusive child care system which works well for all children, parents, and early educators.

GO INSIDE

Child Care Crisis→

Reporting on the fragile systems of American child care, solutions and advances

Community Cultivators→

Highlighting how innovators build and sustain global communities from the ground up

Top Takeaways→

Recaps from important conversations, town halls, webinars and virtual events from the Early Learning field

More recent news from the early learning world:

Staying Engaged In Uncertain Times

Amid the evolving policy environment, Start Early’s Yvette Sanchez Fuentes says early care and education advocates can build on bipartisan support.

Mark Swartz··5 min read
Amid the evolving policy environment in Washington, early care and education advocates...
Read More
Load more

Get the latest in early learning science, community and more:

Join us