Quality Counts
Quality Counts 2015: Preparing to Launch
Early Childhood's Academic Countdown
January 2, 2015
- Early Childhood A Playbook for the Youngest LearnersIn a polarized policy environment, educators work to assure a strong start and sustained momentum for children from preschool onward.Equity & Diversity Consensus on Early Ed. Value, But Policy Questions RemainThere's little disagreement nationally about the importance of early-childhood education, but settling on the right approach to funding and policy approaches is a different matter.School & District Management Schools Seek to Strike a Balance on Rigor in Early YearsResearchers are gaining new insights into how children learn from a rich history of studies of preschool programs in the past 50 years.Early Childhood Government Programs Undergird Early-Ed. PrioritiesFederal, state, and local programs provide support for early-childhood education, ranging from sweeping initiatives that deal with readiness and whole-family issues to targeted school-based efforts.Education Early-Childhood Education in the U.S.: An AnalysisThe Education Week Research Center analyzed American Community Survey data to identify patterns in the school enrollment of young children.School & District Management States Graded on Indicators for Early YearsQuality Counts' new Early Education Index assesses participation in early-education programs and services, as well as equity and enrollment trends across the states.Early Childhood Pressures Rise as Pace of Kindergarten IncreasesAs the push for academic content increases at the kindergarten level, educators weigh what's important and what's developmentally appropriate.Assessment Readiness Assessments Fuel Testing JittersThe collection and use of data about just how prepared individual children are to enter kindergarten can be a ticklish proposition.Reading & Literacy Early Grades Crucial in Path to Reading ProficiencyStates press to ensure that students from kindergarten on get the literacy support they need to meet 3rd grade reading milestones.Early Childhood Finding the Right Fit for Ed Tech in the Early YearsThe most useful and appropriate classroom technology can change as children move up the academic ladder from pre-K to 3rd grade.Early Childhood Opinion Connect Children to the Classroom EarlyThere should be a stronger connection between research, what’s happening in schools, and pre-K-3 initiatives, Laura Bornfreund writes.Equity & Diversity Opinion Cultural Diversity a Critical Consideration for Native StudentsFor educational conditions and outcomes to improve for Native youths, early-childhood programs must consider cultural diversity, writes Susan C. Faircloth.Early Childhood Opinion Identify Key Elements of Kindergarten SuccessResearchers should pinpoint what works best for students in today’s more academic kindergartens, says Heather E. Quick.Federal Opinion The Basis for Expanding Pre-K Is WeakWhen weighing its costs against its benefits, universal preschool does not add up, David J. Armor says.School & District Management A Fresh Approach to Ranking States on EducationThe 19th annual edition of Education Week's Quality Counts includes a new take on the state report cards and provides a leaner format that focuses on educational outcomes from early childhood on up.States From Our Research Center Quality Counts 2015: State and National Highlights ReportsThe Quality Counts 2015 Highlights Reports capture all of the data you need to assess your state's performance in key areas.Education Quality Counts 2015: State Report Cards MapThis interactive map offers a quick way to examine state-by-state grades and summary data.Education Quality Counts 2015: Grading CalculatorIn addition to the State Report Cards interactive map, this tool lets readers calculate grades for states based on weighting schemes that they devise themselves.School & District Management How We Graded the StatesFor Quality Counts 2015, the Education Week Research Center graded the states in two critical performance and data categories that have been perennial features of the publication's report card.School & District Management Quality Counts: Sources and NotesHere's a detailed look at what factors went into our state education ranking system.