ERIC Number: ED639897
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Feb
Pages: 20
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
6 Ways to Ensure Preschool Contributes to an Equitable Early Childhood System
Laura Dallas McSorley
Center for American Progress
As public preschool is not widely available in the United States, the Biden-Harris administration proposed a comprehensive early childhood agenda to create a world-class voluntary universal preschool program for children and families that addresses racial and other inequities. This report outlines six key components for a preschool program that will support a strong, equitable birth to age 5 system, including: (1) Design a system for preschool to be delivered in multiple settings, including family child care; (2) Support Head Start to continue to expand to serve more preschoolers and their families across the country; (3) Invest in infants and toddlers; excluding them from increased funding would undermine the overall early childhood system; (4) Ensure equitable access and quality, including by directing state and local governments to plan to serve targeted geographic areas and groups of students; (5) Prioritize providing equitable compensation to early childhood educators, regardless of settings; and (6) Ensure that all programs provide a platform that values family voice and shares power with families. By approaching preschool as a critical part of the broader system of early care and education, the administration can expand opportunities for young children across the country.
Descriptors: Preschool Education, Equal Education, Early Childhood Education, Child Care, Delivery Systems, Infants, Toddlers, Preschool Children, Access to Education, Educational Quality, Government Role, Early Childhood Teachers, Compensation (Remuneration), Family Involvement, Social Services, Federal Programs, Low Income Students
Center for American Progress. 1333 H Street NW 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202-682-1611; Web site: http://www.americanprogress.org
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Center for American Progress (CAP)
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Head Start
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A