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Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Early Childhood Education

money matters

New York
May 14, 2019

‘Get this right’: Comptroller Stringer adds to calls for major changes to New York City’s pre-K contracts

Pre-K and childcare providers in New York City say that changes to how they're funded could spell financial disaster.

early childhood

Detroit
May 9, 2019

The 4-year-olds are alright in Michigan. The 3-year-olds, less so.

Michigan's education program for 4-year-olds is solid. Its program for 3-year-olds is non-existent.

peer pressure

National
April 17, 2019

Can pre-K help students, even if they don’t attend?

“Having students come into the classroom better prepared, that in and of itself is going to help all students,” said researcher Breyon Williams.

Asked and answered

Chicago
March 20, 2019

Four questions for Chelsea Clinton about expanding early learning in cities

Visiting Chicago on Wednesday to help boost attention for literacy programs in laundromats, Chelsea Clinton said that her efforts were inspired in…

strike vote

New York
March 14, 2019

Demanding higher pay, New York City pre-K teachers move toward a strike

One of two locals under District Council 1707 voted to strike if their demands for higher pay are not met. The second local will vote Monday.

Fresh data

Chicago
Updated March 12, 2019

Across Illinois, littlest children face some form of ‘high risk,’ new report says

Illinois spends less than 5 percent of its budget on children under 5, two-thirds of whom live in counties where they face high risks to their health or development.

(Very) early education

New York
March 8, 2019

This New York City charter network is taking its lessons to toddlers

Preschool is already too late, if you ask Ian Rowe. The head of Public Prep charter schools in New…
Detroit
March 7, 2019

Rise & Shine: What Whitmer’s budget proposal means for Michigan preschoolers

Rise & Shine is Chalkbeat’s morning digest of education news. Subscribe to have it delivered to your inbox. BOOSTING…

capital crunch

New York
February 21, 2019

As New York City’s public housing crumbles, pre-K centers go without crucial repairs

The tables where children would normally play had been dragged to create a makeshift barrier, blocking the 3- and 4-year olds from their…

Preschool math

Chicago
February 20, 2019

Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker plows $100 million more into early ed — but no universal preschool this year

“Investing in early childhood is the single most important education policy decision government can make," Pritzker said Wednesday.

Planning mode

Colorado
February 14, 2019

As lawmakers consider major preschool expansion, Colorado providers want more than just extra seats

With Gov. Jared Polis’ plan to expand Colorado’s state-funded preschool program, many early childhood educators are hoping for more flexibility along with new slots.

Race for mayor

Chicago
February 11, 2019

How to help Chicago’s younger learners? Mayoral frontrunners skip a chance to say.

Chicago is in the first year of a four-year universal pre-kindergarten rollout, and the city’s next mayor will determine much of the fate of the program.

Making room

Colorado
February 9, 2019

To ease child care crunch in a Denver strike, Colorado regulators will waive certain rules

Preschools with a little extra room may be able to get emergency waivers to accept early childhood program students from Denver Public Schools in the…

early childhood

Indiana
February 8, 2019

As pre-K expands in Indiana, slow sign-ups lead to millions in leftover state funding

Expanding On My Way Pre-K has been slower than hoped, Indiana officials said, in part due to the challenge of introducing the new program in rural counties.

city hall watch

Chicago
February 6, 2019

Why Rahm Emanuel’s rollout of universal pre-K has Chicago preschool providers worried

Rahm Emanuel’s big-budget, top-down expansion of public preschool has provoked high anxiety among community providers.
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