Sharing Web Resources
The resource that I have been researching is The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER).
http://www.nieer.org/resources/newsletter/index.php
There were several outside links that NIEER took me to: The Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center, NAEYC, The National Education Policy Center (NEPC), and Rand.
I explored the link to The National Education Policy Center (NEPC) which produces and disseminates high-quality, peer-reviewed research to inform education policy discussions. Their belief is that public education is strengthened when policies are based on sound evidence (NEPC, 2014, p.1). This organization has many articles, policy briefs, and think tank reviews. I was intrigued by the think tank reviews which are academically rigorous reviews of the strengths and weaknesses of selected publications. The expert assessments provide the public policymakers, and the press with the information needed to make informed judgments about the value of the conclusions drawn, and recommendations made in the reviewed reports (NEPC, 2014, p. 1). One article in the think tank review explained how Hispanic children have the largest achievement gap at kindergarten entry. Hispanic children have least access to preschool education because of limited access to public programs, inadequate outreach, and few dual language programs (Barnett, 2013, p. 3). A dual language Pre-k is critical to young children as bilingualism has cognitive, economic, and social benefits. The US must increase access to high quality Pre-k, especially Pre-k that meets the needs of young Hispanic children (Barnett, 2013, p. 5).
I also receive Preschool Matters...Today which is the NIEER blog. The blog that I received on February 10, 2014, states that all levels of government will have to increase their support for young children and families, including the federal government which can best lead the way by priming the pump-providing financial support and incentives that encourage and enable state and local governments to develop sustainable quality programs (Barnett, 2014, p. 1). Educational failure and inequality that plaques the country begins in children's experiences before they actually enter kindergarten. The need for quality early education is clearly greater than the funding we receive.
The Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center, http://www.fpg.unc.edu, is another excellent link to explore issues such as developmental disabilities, diversity, early care and education, physical and social health, international initiative, professional development, and public policy.
Other issues and trends that I found interesting is the debate about universal Pre-k.
Barnett, S. (2013). Young Hispanic children: Early learning needs and opportunities.
National Education Policy Center. Retrieved from,
http://www.nieer.org/resources/mewsletter/index.php
The National Education Policy Center. (2014). Think tank review. Retrieved from,
http://www.nepc.colorado.edu/think-tank-reviews
