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Elliot’s Provocations

Elliot’s Provocations unpacks current events in the early learning world and explores how we can chart a path to a future where all children can flourish. Regarding the title, if you’re not steeped in early childhood education (ECE) lingo, a “provocation” is the field’s term—taken from the Reggio-Emilia philosophy of early education—for offering someone the opportunity to engage with an idea.

We hope this monthly column does that: provocations are certainly not answers, but we hope Elliot’s Provocations helps you pause and consider concepts in a different way.

School Readiness and the Tyranny of Merit, Part 1

Elliot Haspel·August 2, 2022·11 min read

While we see the tyranny of merit most active in K-12 and higher education, school readiness is the Trojan horse through which it has breached the world of early childhood.

Elliot’s Provocations: Seizing the Reconciliation Opportunity

Elliot Haspel·September 1, 2021·5 min read

Welcome to the first edition of my new monthly column, “Elliot’s Provocations.” The goal of this column is to unpack...

Build Back Better Helps, Not Hurts, Faith-Based Child Care

Critics are Overselling the Changes While Religious Programs Fight for Their Lives

Elliot Haspel·December 2, 2021·7 min read

While the investments in early care and education appear broadly safe, one unresolved design question concerns what should be required of child care programs operated by faith communities.

School Readiness and the Tyranny of Merit, Part 2

Elliot Haspel·August 2, 2022·9 min read

What, in the end, do we want young children (and young parents) to be ready for? For a nation that forces you to run a race before your legs can even hold your own weight, or a nation that says ‘we’ve got you, take your time’?

Against For-Profit Child Care Chains

Elliot Haspel·April 6, 2022·5 min read

The phrase “corporate child care” has always struck me as a bad joke, something that belongs more in a Boss Baby movie than as a substantial part of the U.S. child care landscape.

Congress Takes Another Run at a Child Care Solution

Elliot Haspel·May 31, 2022·4 min read

The U.S. child care system falls deeper into crisis with every passing day. The sector is still missing 100,000 educators compared to before the pandemic, and amid a competitive labor market, the staffing recovery has slowed to a crawl.

Principles for Implementing the Build Back Better Bill

Elliot Haspel·November 3, 2021·4 min read

It feels bizarre to be writing these words, but the U.S. stands on the verge of a real early learning system.

O Canada(’s Child Care Progress)

Elliot Haspel·October 1, 2021·4 min read

While the U.S. is busy debating whether or not to finally invest in our failing child care system, Canada is busy doing it.

States, Time to Step Up on Child Care

Elliot Haspel·March 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...

The Child Care Sector Starts to Flex Its Muscles

Elliot Haspel·May 17, 2022·4 min read

Child care has traditionally been a politically quiet sector. I don’t mean there hasn’t been resolute advocacy, but that has largely (though certainly not entirely) happened behind the scenes -- at least in the U.S. there isn’t a long history of major public actions such as protests and strikes.

Elliot’s Provocations

School Readiness and the Tyranny of Merit, Part 1

Elliot’s Provocations: Seizing the Reconciliation Opportunity

Build Back Better Helps, Not Hurts, Faith-Based Child Care

School Readiness and the Tyranny of Merit, Part 2

Against For-Profit Child Care Chains

Congress Takes Another Run at a Child Care Solution

Principles for Implementing the Build Back Better Bill

O Canada(’s Child Care Progress)

States, Time to Step Up on Child Care

The Child Care Sector Starts to Flex Its Muscles

School Readiness and the Tyranny of Merit, Part 1

5 Questions for the Governor: Oklahoma’s Kevin Stitt

Sal Khan and His Planet-Saving Academy

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