How Louisiana Uses Early Childhood Performance Ratings to Fuel Site Improvement

Content Area(s): Assessment, ESSA
Publication Type(s): Blog Post
Author(s): Nasha Patel
Date: July 2019

Nasha Patel cites how the Louisiana School and Center Finder connects to ESSA – it is a first-of-its-kind online reporting system that provides a detailed look at accountability metrics spanning birth through grade 12.

Head Start Programs and Local Education Agencies Partner to Support Smooth and Effective Transitions for DC’s Youngest Learners

Content Area(s): ESSA
Publication Type(s): Blog Post
Author(s): Margareth Legaspi and Jonathan Elkin
Date: June 2019

Improving coordination between early childhood programs and elementary schools can help young learners transition to the new setting and improve outcomes in K-12 and beyond. The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) requires local education agencies (LEAs) receiving Title I funding to sign a written agreement coordinating with Head Start programs, and other early childhood programs if feasible, on students’ transition to the LEA in pre-K or kindergarten.

Head Start Programs and Local Education Agencies Partner to Support Smooth and Effective Transitions for DC’s Youngest Learners

Content Area(s): ESSA
Publication Type(s): Blog Post
Author(s): Margareth Legaspi and Jonathan Elkin
Date: June 2019

Connecticut’s Approach to Early Childhood ESSA Supports

Content Area(s): ESSA
Publication Type(s): Blog Post
Author(s): Andrea Brinnel and Lisa Lamenzo
Date: June 2019

The state’s ESSA plan focuses on strengthening the pre-K to grade 12 continuum to give children a stronger foundation for lifelong success Research shows that achievement gaps begin early in life and, without intervention, may widen over time. Focusing educational opportunities and resources on young children and their families is a key strategy to reducing […] Read more

Early Learning in ESSA – A Marathon Not a Sprint

Content Area(s): Birth Through Third Grade, ESSA, Systems
Publication Type(s): Presentations
Author(s): Jana Martella (CEELO) and Danielle Ewen (EdCounsel)
Date: February 2019

The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) has provided state education agencies (SEAs) with new and broadened opportunities to bring early learning to the forefront of their education strategies, and to encourage local school districts to do the same. This presentation provided at the 2019 ESEA Conference discusses the evidence-based early learning initiatives that have emerged as ESSA is implemented across the country and provides advice and recommendations to SEA and LEA leaders on how to seize those opportunities.

A Look at Prekindergarten Across the Country

Content Area(s): Child Outcomes, ESSA, Systems
Publication Type(s): Presentations
Author(s): Lori Connors-Tadros, Karin Garver
Date: August 2018

CEELO and NIEER presenters provided information during this webinar to the National Council of State Legislatures Early Learning Fellows Program, highlighting how to design PreK programs for success, and craft policies to reach goals. The presentation focuses on costs and revenues, selected high-capacity states, and how to seize opportunities in ESSA, PDG and other resources. (August 2018)

The State of Early Learning in ESSA: Plans and Opportunities for Implementation

Content Area(s): ESSA
Publication Type(s): Policy Reports and Briefs
Author(s): Bonnie O’Keefe
Date: December 2017

This brief focuses on three key topics for early learning in ESSA: setting clear goals and policy priorities for early learning, integrating early learning into school improvement, and supporting early childhood educator development. Based on a review of submitted state ESSA plans, the brief provides examples from state plans that highlights a variety of approaches from different state education agencies and identifies areas for further growth and attention in implementation.

Leading the Way: How States are Addressing Early Learning Under ESSA

Content Area(s): ESSA, Systems
Publication Type(s): Archived Webinars
Date: March 2017

This webinar provides participants with resources, examples, and strategies for including early learning in their ESSA state plans. State leaders from Arkansas, Louisiana, Michigan, and Washington describe on their strategies for integrating the following key policy areas that research shows help reduce achievement gaps for young children: Increasing access to high-quality preschool; Aligning and coordinating early learning programs from birth to grade; Preparing and supporting highly effective teachers and leaders. This webinar was co-hosted by CEELO and the REL Southwest.

Preparing for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): Early Learning

Content Area(s): ESSA
Publication Type(s): Archived Webinars
Date: October 2016

This webinar was held on Oct. 31 and hosted by CEELO and the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education (NAECS-SDE). The webinar includes information from the USED Office of Early Learning on the guidance (see below)and views from three states – North Carolina, Colorado and Arizona – on their efforts to strengthen early learning in their ESSA planning. (Slide handout)

Implications of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Content Area(s): ESSA, Systems
Publication Type(s): Presentations
Date: August 2016

This presentation explores opportunities to support family engagement in ESSA. CEELO’s Melissa Dahlin was a panelist at this session in the Language Development and Family Engagement in the Digital Age Institute hosted by New America on August 2nd 2016 in Washington, DC. [See video for Day 1, panel starts at 2 h, 30 min mark]