New data released June 11 shows that before the COVID-19 pandemic, Arkansas ranked as a bottom-quarter state for babies. The State of Babies Yearbook: 2020, released by early childhood development nonprofit ZERO TO THREE, comes at a critical time...
New research estimates that a “values-based” early child and education (ECE) system would benefit Arkansas’s children, teachers, and parents. A comprehensive publicly financed system that compensates educators fairly would serve between 116,000 and 154,000 children and employ between 48,000...
It’s Wednesday, July 24, 2019 — 91 days after the legislative session officially adjourned on April 24, 2019. What’s so special about today? All bills passed by the state legislature become laws 91 days upon adjournment (unless they contained...
Study shows all states need faster expansion and greater investment in early childhood education In The State of Preschool 2018 annual report, the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University found that Arkansas preschool state-funded enrollment increased, but funding...
The end is in sight! Week 12 saw a fair amount of action at the Capitol. Several committees held their final meetings this week, meaning a number of bills will not progress this session. We expect the next –...
As expected, several committees and the House met today, in an effort to get through the many bills still left to cover before the end of the session. The AACF staff has been hard at work, doing outreach, building...
Boost Wages with a Refundable Tax Credit Linked to Increased Credentials Early childhood educators play one of the most important roles in our education system and economy. Research shows that 85% of core brain development happens by age three,...
Despite being a three-day week at the Capitol, it was jam-packed! Several bills worked on by AACF staff cleared important hurdles, and we are gearing up for the sprint that comes in the last several weeks of the session....
It was a short second week at the Capitol, with state offices closed Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, and no committee meetings on Friday. Did you know both chambers are streaming live? Watch your...
When do children begin to learn? Believe it or not, school readiness begins in the womb. Research show the first few years of life, including the prenatal months, are the most important for healthy brain development. Unfortunately, too many...