 Dear reader,
As we approach the second anniversary of the pandemic’s shutdown of schools, colleges and workplaces, few issues are more urgent than our fragile child care system. Until more young children are vaccinated, interruptions to this overwrought industry will be constant. Teachers can’t teach, parents can’t work and none of us can move forward. Finding consistent, high-quality care has become ever more daunting. That’s why we looked closely this week at the desperate need for child care in rural Vermont, where waiting lists are endless and advocates believe expanding and investing in home-based care could be a solution.
But here’s another important reminder: not all child care and early education programs are created equal. Take some time to learn what happened in Tennessee, where a state-funded pre-K program yielded less than optimal results. As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts. One of the best ways to keep up with all our coverage in this area is via Jackie Mader’s popular early childhood newsletter; sign up and learn the latest developments.
Finally, this week, we report on what changes to the SAT exam could mean once the No. 2 pencils are thrown out and all the tests are taken on computers. Even though more and more colleges are ditching these standardized exam requirements, this decision will have some consequences that are worth exploring. We bring you the latest research and look forward to your take. Please get in touch!
Liz Willen, Editor
|
|
Main Idea
