Though the Every Student Succeeds Act doesn’t mandate much for early-childhood education, a new report says states are embracing the first funding stream dedicated to early-childhood education through the law’s new Preschool Development Grants.
The report, by the nonprofit advocacy group the First Five Years Fund, notes 13 states plan to make early-learning initiatives a part of their state accountability systems under Title I, targeting disadvantaged students, while 15 states and the District of Columbia list early learning as a strategy for school improvement within Title I.
A majority of states plan to use their Title II professional-development funds to help school leaders support educators working with children age 8 and younger, and 38 states included early learning as part of their Well-Rounded Education Initiatives as part of Title IV of ESSA, which provides grants for academic support and enrichment programs.
