TOP 5 » EDUCATION
New Flexibility in Education on the Horizon
by Elizabeth Whitehouse Collaboration and innovation are at the forefront of the Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA, plans approved by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. ESSA is a bipartisan measure, signed into law on Dec. 10, 2015, and attempts to provide states with more collaboration and flexibility to serve their students, teachers and communities. With the latest plan approvals, the emerging theme is one of innovation and collaboration among the states, further empowering their educational futures and decision-making authority. “I’m heartened to see how the states have embraced the spirit of flexibility
JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS
Early Education & Economic Growth
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 34 million families in the U.S. have children under age 18. High-quality early care and education programs are critical to building a knowledgeable and trained workforce, but affordability and access to these programs also creates barriers for parents and guardians to participate in the workforce. Many states have recognized the importance of high-quality early learning programs and have upped investments in the recent years, but now the federal government is taking notice too. The Trump administration has committed to lowering the cost of child care for families. In 2018, many state leaders will be eager to build on the Trump administration’s commitment.