Policy Update: Federal State and Local

Information for the Montessori community. Montessori Forward is interested in your comments and questions about how your school might be impacted and how we can support your advocacy work

Federal:

The White House Summit on Early Education is scheduled for Dec. 10. President Obama will be announcing the recipients of the Preschool Development Grants and Early Head Start Child Care Partnership. We'll provide links to listen to the live streaming of this event closer to the date.

The Excellent Educators for All Initiative will be unveiled soon but  three components include: comprehensive educator equity plans to assure experienced teachers in all schools; an educator equity support network offering technical assistance to develop model plans, and promising practices for high need schools; and educator equity profiles- state profiles that will identify gaps in access to quality teaching.

State:

OR: Governor Kitzhaber's educational initiatives include:

• higher education scholarships
• services to ELL students in 9th grade to support their graduation rates
• Quality Early Child Care- $85 million in additional funds for expansion and accountability
• State funded all day kindergarten- $220 million

SC: A decision by the state Supreme Court will provide increased funding for poor and rural regions of the state for expansion of early childhood education programs. Several organizations are working together to bring a plan before the legislature soon. Money will be made available for child care programs, home visits, and increased supervision and accountability.

MT: As one of nine states with no public preschool program, the state Board of Education recently voted to approve funds to offer a state wide program. The Early Childhood Advisory Board has been formed and will be creating Early Learning Standards.

NY: New teacher certification exams have resulted in a 20% drop in candidates who have passed the test. State officials cite the needs for increased quality in teacher education programs. The Teacher Performance Assessment requires a portfolio which includes a video of the candidate teaching.

Teacher preparation programs must demonstrate that 80% of their graduates are able to pass to maintain their accreditation.

Local:

Chicago- Social impact bonds have been approved by the City Council Finance Committee allowing for private funding for public preschool programs.

Denver- has extended a sales tax increase to provide funding for the city's preschool program. Families can receive vouchers to enroll their child in one of 250 programs that meet accountability criteria.

San Antonio- has passed an increase in sales tax with the money being used to fund public pre-school.

Seattle- a new tax measure will fund a 4 year pilot public preschool program.

San Francisco- Preschool For All program, run through the public schools, has been renewed.

NYC- has doubled the number of children in full day kindergarten