Part IV: Economic Security and Family Supports are Critical to Early Childhood Development
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 […]
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 […]
AACF Co-Presents “The Raising of America” Documentary
One thing business leaders, philanthropists, parents, child advocates – and even Hollywood – can agree on: The critical importance of quality early childhood education to our nation’s future. At the […]
National Report Shows Arkansas’s Pre-K Quality Standards Remain High, but State Investment is Stalling
A new national report shows that Arkansas met 8 of 10 new benchmarks for having high quality standards for its pre-K programs. However, state investment is not keeping up with […]
Fiscal and Special Sessions Education Recap
The Arkansas General Assembly wrapped up its fiscal and special sessions in March with little to no new funding for priority education needs for children in Arkansas, especially for low-income children […]
Fiscal Session Starts Monday – Here’s What You Need to Know
State agencies will be closely watching events at the state Capitol starting Monday – the first day of the “Fiscal Session.” Votes cast during that time will determine which state […]
Friendly Competition? Tax Policy Among States
A group of legislators from states with some of the worst tax and education records in the nation convened in Arkansas last week to advise our Tax Task Force on […]
It’s Time to Fund the Positive Youth Development Act
When it comes to improving education in Arkansas, there are so many choices. Some want more arts programs, or maybe more individual mentorship. Others think kids would benefit from more […]
Privatizing Education Puts Our Kids and Our Democracy at Risk
Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF) is grateful yet again that Governor Hutchinson has stepped in to mitigate the effects of what he and many other policymakers know is […]