Part III: Quality Early Childhood Education is the Building Block of Success in K-12 and Beyond
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 […]
Education Progress is Stalling, Leaving an Uncertain Future for Kids and Our State
Note: This blog is third in a series of posts covering the findings in the 2018 Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book. To read the introductory blog post, click […]
Jonesboro Pre-K’s First Class is All Grown Up
Fourteen years ago, in August 2004, the Jonesboro, Arkansas, School District launched its first pre-K program. The Jonesboro Pre-K Center was licensed for 186 early learners and was housed in […]
Part II: Positive Early Learning Experiences Help Infants and Toddlers Become School-Ready
Before age 3, 85 percent of a child’s core brain structure is formed. This “wiring” shapes infants and toddlers’ ability to learn to read and think critically. Early learning experiences […]
Back to School Means More than Just the End of Summer to Many Arkansas Kids
As most Arkansas kids went back to school this week for a new year, we should remember that not all kids had summers that they are eager to “show-and-tell” about. […]
Submit Your Feedback on Arkansas’s ESSA Plan by June 30!
There is one week left to submit comments to the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) on its draft proposal to implement the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). You can […]
ICYMI: This week at the Arkansas State Capitol, Feb. 20-24
In case you missed it, here’s a recap of some of the big things that happened at the Arkansas State Capitol this week: TAX & BUDGET: What’s going on with […]
ICYMI: This week at the AR State Capitol
This was a fairly lively week at the State Capitol. In case you missed it, here are some of the highlights and a few things to look out for next […]
ACA Repeal Would Undermine Arkansas Education Goals
Last month, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson vowed to make third-grade reading a top priority, building on the impressive work the state has already done to bring more children into early […]