Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Colorado

Early Childhood

Examining the push to get kids starting school strong.

salary gap

Colorado
April 18, 2019

Think teacher pay is low in Colorado? Try teaching preschool.

Preschool teachers who work in Colorado's district-run schools make far less on average than public elementary teachers.

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.

New research

Chicago
April 17, 2019

Illinois is doing better by its youngest learners — but it’s reaching too few of them

After losing ground for many years in early education compared with other states, Illinois has started to play catch-up by boosting funding for…

the youngest learners

Indiana
April 17, 2019

National report downgrades Indiana for excluding some families from pre-K vouchers

NIEER's 2018 "State of Preschool" report lists Indiana as one of just six states that does not fund a preschool program, deeming On My Way Pre-K to be child care.

teacher perspectives

Colorado
April 16, 2019

A much-needed change or the last straw? Educators take sides on bill limiting early childhood suspensions

Educators share their opinions on proposed legislation that aims to curb the number of out-of-school suspensions given to young Colorado students.

comings and goings

Colorado
April 16, 2019

New leaders coming to Clayton Early Learning and other early childhood groups in Colorado

Several of Colorado’s most prominent early childhood groups are getting new leaders this year, including Clayton Early Learning and Denver Preschool Program.

repeal effort

Colorado
April 15, 2019

Local early childhood funding threatened by Colorado anti-tax group

A Colorado anti-tax group targets a bill allowing local voters to approve tax funding for care of infants, toddlers and preschoolers

Discipline dialogue

Colorado
April 12, 2019

Colorado educators, share your thoughts on early childhood suspensions

Colorado could have a new law restricting suspensions of young children. We want to know what educators think.
Colorado
April 9, 2019

Special Report: Full-day kindergarten clears its first legislative hurdle

We’ve been covering Gov. Jared Polis’ plan for statewide free full-day kindergarten since he announced it on the campaign trail…

All in

Colorado
April 7, 2019

Colorado districts moving quickly toward full-day kindergarten, complicating funding debate

Large Colorado school districts that collectively serve thousands of children in half-day kindergarten programs are preparing to switch to full-day programs this fall, potentially pushing…

early childhood

Detroit
April 5, 2019

Gov. Whitmer wants universal pre-K by the end of her four-year term. Will there be enough teachers?

In an interview with Chalkbeat, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer laid out an ambitious timeline for offering preschool to all Michigan four-year-olds.

money matters

New York
April 5, 2019

As New York City pre-K teachers weigh a strike, new estimate puts cost of pay boost at $438 million

With a potential strike looming, the first estimate for what it would cost to boost salaries for pre-K teachers who work in community…

National Scan

Colorado
April 4, 2019

Full-day kindergarten across the nation: How does Colorado compare?

As Colorado's full-day kindergarten expansion plan nears the finish line, a look at how its kindergarten policies compare to other states.
National
April 2, 2019

The Starting Line: Preschool teacher strikes and the pay gap problem

Welcome to April! From possible preschool teacher strikes in New York City to a new state-level early education department in…

universal pre-k

Chicago
March 22, 2019

Big day for preschool: Illinois governor says state universal pre-K coming in 4 years; Chicago invests $77 million in early learning

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he expects Illinois would have universal preschool for 4-year-olds in 4 years. Next year, Chicago will add more than 100 pre-kindergarten classes