News Archive

Parents and the High Cost of Child Care
Child Care Aware - 2017
In their introduction at page 8, Child Care Aware highlighted the Policy Institute’s Losing Ground report, calling it “Louisiana’s recent groundbreaking report.”

Are New Orleans Toddlers Getting Quality Instruction?
89.9 New Orleans Public Radio - Dec. 22, 2017

Child Care Costs Force Parents to Make Tough Decisions
89.9 New Orleans Public Radio - Dec. 21, 2017

New Orleans To Start Funding Pre-K
89.9 New Orleans Public Radio - December 19, 2017

Solutions for Affordable Childcare Crisis
WWL-TV Morning News (New Orleans) - December 14, 2017

October 2017

Guest column: New Orleans' next mayor should stress child care, education, Russel Honore writes

Advocate (New Orleans/Baton Rouge) - October 27, 2017

Businesses discuss need for early childcare programs

Advocate (Baton Rouge/New Orleans/Acadiana) - October 18, 2017

Business leaders turn attention to another workforce drain: early child care issues

Business Report (Greater Baton Rouge)- October 18,2017

Letters: Get them young for education, good jobs

Advocate (New Orleans/Baton Rouge/Acadiana)- October 2, 2017

September 2017

How smart tax reform can boost early education for our children

The Hill- September 27, 2017

July 2017

Louisiana seeks more time to implement new criminal background checks for child care workers

Advocate (New Orleans/Baton Rouge/Acadiana)- July 19, 2017

Early childhood education needs more funding

American Press (Lake Charles)- July 8, 2017

June 2017

May 2017

Are Your Childcare Benefits Outdated? Here's How to Fix Them

Entrepreneur (National) - May 18, 2017

Study: Child care issues cost Louisiana employers $816M annually
CityBusiness (New Orleans)- May 5, 2017

Early high school graduates could earn scholarships under bill that clears House committee

Advocate (New Orleans/Baton Rouge)- May 2, 2017

Child care issues in Louisiana hurting workers and employers, study finds

Gambit (New Orleans)- May 2, 2017

Study finds lack of quality childcare drastically hurts state's economy

Louisiana Radio Network- May 2, 2017

New study shows just how much Louisiana parents struggle to balance children, careers

Advocate (New Orleans/Baton Rouge)- May 1, 2017

April 2017

Statewide Coalition Calls for Legislative Support, Increased Investment In Quality Early Care, Education

Biz New Orleans- April 5, 2017

Coalition calls for more early childhood care and education funding in Louisiana

Greater Baton Rouge Business Report- April 4, 2017

March 2017

Family Tax Policy: A Path Forward to Lifting Children Out of Poverty

A report by the U.S. Child Poverty Action Group- March 14, 2017

February 2017

School Readiness Tax Credits crucial for workforce development, advocacy group says

Greater Baton Rouge Business Report- February 27, 2017

Ensuring a good start

American Press (Lake Charles)- February 26, 2017

Usable day care scores to come this fall

Lafayette Advertiser- February 23, 2017

Louisiana loosens eligibility rules for child care assistance, but funding lacking

Advocate (Baton Rouge)- February 19, 2017

Letters: State should support quality child care

Advocate (New Orleans/Baton Rouge)- February 16, 2017

Program Changes Enable More Working Families to Access Child Care Assistance

Press Release-Louisiana Department of Education- February 16, 2017

Louisiana's new preschool ratings are out: 7 things parents should know

NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune- February 15, 2017

January 2017

Cloutier: Invest in early childhood education, invest in the future

Lafayette Advertiser- January 20, 2017

Louisiana must invest in our youngest children

New Orleans Times Picayune- January 10, 2017

Early childcare and education can lead Louisiana from "worst to first”

Ruston Daily Leader- January 9, 2017

Is child care in Louisiana affordable? Report says yes, but local experts disagree

NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune- January 5, 2017

2016

December 2016

Could a plan to improve early education be putting the squeeze on child care centers?

The Hechinger Report- December 6, 2016

November 2016

Early childhood tax credits vital, institute says

Lafayette Advertiser- November 30, 2016

Child care providers meet to discuss support for families

KATC-ABC-TV- November 30, 2016

Workforce development starts at the cradle

American Press- November 22, 2016

Letters: Families need help with child care

Advocate (New Orleans/Baton Rouge)- November 22, 2016

French Quarter restaurant inspired to give away Thanksgiving meals- WDSU report on assistance for early education sparked idea for family-centered give away

Advocate (New Orleans/Baton Rouge)- November 19, 2016

Tax Credits for Education

WAFB 9News (Baton Rouge)- November 17, 2016

Tax credits have led to better child care, federal funds for Louisiana, advocates say

Advocate (New Orleans/Baton Rouge)- November 15, 2016

Early Childhood Education Tax Credits

WWL 8 News (New Orleans)- November 14, 2016

Educators fight to keep early ed funding

WDSU News (New Orleans)- November 14, 2016

Study: Tax credits paying off for early education in Louisiana

WDSU News (New Orleans)- November 13, 2016

Independent group finds tax credits benefiting early education in Louisiana

WDSU News (New Orleans) - November 13, 2016

October 2016

Editorial: Take a close look at early-age school suspensions

Advocate (New Orleans/Baton Rouge)- October 10, 2016

September 2016

Louisiana once spent little to help care for the youngest children; now it’s spending less

Advocate (New Orleans/Baton Rouge)- September 30, 2016

The State-Budget Cuts Trapping Poor Parents: In Louisiana, a lack of governmental assistance has left many without childcare options

The Atlantic- September 29, 2016

August 2016

The state of women: the day care dilemma; Working mothers have few resources in Louisiana

Gambit-August 18, 2016

Defying Cuts, Improving Early Childhood Care Standards in Louisiana

Alliance for Early Success Blog- August 24, 2016

July 2016

Relief may be on way for child care recipients

The Advocate-July 15, 2016

Feared Pre-K cuts evaporate; standstill funding seen as a win

The Advocate- July 6, 2 016

June 2016

The Building Blocks of Learning

New York Times- June 14, 2016

Jefferson Business Council to participate in Louisiana's Early Childhood Business Roundtable

Biz New Orleans- June 6, 2016

Too Small to Fail

New York Times- June 2, 2016

Never let a budget crisis go to waste; fund early childhood education

The Advertiser- June 2, 2016

A Lesson Learned from Planting Trees

Forests and People Magazine (official publication of the Louisiana Forestry Association)- June 2016

May 2016

Make early care, education a priority

Shreveport Times- May 31, 2016

Kids need best chance now to thrive later

American Press, Lake Charles- May 15, 2016

April 2016

Legislative Testimony on LA's School Readiness Tax Credits

Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee - April 4, 2016

Fast forward to the start of the testimony at the 58:00 minute mark.

Legislative Testimony on Governor Edwards' Proposed Budget

House Appropriations Committee - April 19, 2016

Fast forward to the 1:21: 29 minute mark for testimony on early care and education.

Pre-K overhaul would benefit from revisions, report says

The Advocate- April 29, 2016

Roundtable meeting held in Alexandria to discuss the future of early childhood education

KALB-April 26, 2016

Changes to Louisiana's pre-K overhaul are recommended

NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune- April 29, 2016

Report suggests revisions to Louisiana's pre-K overhaul

Fox 8, WVUE New Orleans- April 29, 2016

March 2016

Bill would place new restrictions on day cares without licenses

The Advertiser (Lafayette)- March 30, 2016

Advocates say early childhood aid may be little-noticed budget casualty

The Advocate- March 28, 2016

February 2016

Struggling to survive: Why maternity laws make it hard for mothers in Louisiana

WDSU TV News- February 18, 2016

January 2016

Boost in child care aid for 15,000 takes effect

The Advocate- January 6, 2016

2015

November 2015

Budget-busting childcare costs are talk of the campaign trail

Bloomberg News-November 19, 2015

How to solve America's childcare crisis

Politico-November 9, 2015

Voters should demand candidates address needs of Louisiana children

Shreveport Times-November 4, 2015

Voices: Government must prioritize early learning for La. Children

The Advertiser-November 3, 2015

Ounce of Prevention-Semi-Annual State Policy Update

November 2015

http://www.theounce.org/what-we-do/policy/policy-resources-backgrounders

October 2015

Louisiana preschools might lose $22.5 million in federal funding

NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune - October 2, 2015

Runoff time to focus on early education

Monroe News Star-October 31, 2015

Your Mail: Early Childhood Education

Alexandria Town Talk-October 31, 201

Letters: Turn attention to early care and education

The Advocate-October 29, 2015

Early childhood education investment is a workforce imperative

Daily Advertiser (Lafayette)-October 24, 2015

Funding the Future: Early Childhood Opportunities

Louisiana Public Broadcasting-October 21, 2015

September 2015

Our Views: The focus on children in politics this year is welcomed

The Advocate - September 18, 2015

What do we have to do to make Louisiana thrive?: Editorial

The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com - September 27, 2015

Rising costs, shrinking number of day care centers a dilemma for young parents in New Orleans area

The Advocate - September 27, 2015

Public policy experts preparing presentations, findings for candidates ahead of Oct. primary

The Advocate - September 17, 2015

August 2015

Expert: Celebrate the recovery 10 years after Hurricane Katrina, but embrace continuing work

The Advocate - August 30, 2015

They said it: New Orleans school leaders talk at Katrina events

The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com - August 26,2015

Rep. Barrow wants criminal penalties for unlicensed day cares

WBRZ 2 - August 21, 2015

More public money considered for Louisiana preschools

Press Release, Louisiana Dept of Ed - August 12, 2015

BESE backs plan to boost day care aid

The Advocate - August 11, 2015

BESE plan makes child care affordable for low-income Louisiana families

The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com - August 10, 2015

July 2015

Louisiana is at the bottom of another list

The Shreveport Times - July 22, 2015

Childhood poverty worsens in Louisiana

FOX8/WVUE - July 21, 2015

It's time to license all day care services

American Press - July 6, 2015

June 2015

Radical changes to Louisiana public schools under Bobby Jindal, but what have been the impacts?

The Advocate - June 26, 2015

State policies in spotlight after BR toddler’s death

The Advocate - June 22, 2015

State education board addresses preschool concerns, changes policy

The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com - June 17, 2015

Many daycares in Louisiana unregulated; daycare death puts spotlight on state policies

Advocate (New Orleans/Baton Rouge) - June 24, 2015

Some day care directors critical of proposed preschool revamp

NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune - June 14, 2015

BESE committee partially approves preschool grades policy Tuesday

The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com - June 16, 2015

April 2015

Louisiana must invest in its youngest residents: Editorial

The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com - April 17, 2015

United Way Releases Video In Support Of State Dollars For Early Childhood Education

Biz New Orleans - April 14, 2015

Judy Watts, founding director of Agenda for Children, dies at 72

The Advocate - April 10, 2015

March 2015

Study sees 'serious flaws' in Louisiana's proposed system for grading Pre-K programs

The Advocate - March 30, 2015

Flaws abound in Louisiana's draft preschool report cards, group says

The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com - March 30, 2015

Letter grades for Louisiana preschools in 2016-17, state school board decides

The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com - March 6, 2015

Louisiana Department of Education hopes to improve quality of early childhood learning at private daycares

The Advocate - March 1, 2015

February 2015

Bobby Jindal's state budget proposal: special interest groups react

The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com - February 27, 2015

Thanks, Bobby Jindal, for not cutting preschool -- but we still need more money, critic says

The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com - February 27, 2015

Bobby Jindal is likely to leave some tax credits for low-income families alone

The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com - February 23, 2015

January 2015

Funding for pre-K revamp uncertain: No money allotted for changes in law

The Advocate - January 22, 2015

Pre-school teachers to receive new training, Louisiana school board decides

NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune - January 13, 2015

Editorial - Our Views: Big grants, big gaps

The Advocate - January 7, 2015

2014

December 2014

The December White House Summit on Early Education turned the spotlight on the cause of early learning. The President and top administration officials announced more than $226 million in Preschool Development Grants to 18 states and more than $435 million in Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants to 234 "preliminary grantees" in 49 states. The event also featured the debut of Invest in US, a coalition of public and private entities that have committed more than $340 million in money, resources, or in-kind donations to programs that serve young children.Watch the President's speech and the introduction by third grader Alajah Lane.

Watch the President's speech and the introduction by third grader Alajah La
Read about the response from early care and education advocates.

Called 'an enormous step for our state.' Louisiana lands $32M federal pre-K grant

The Advocate - December 11, 2014

4 things to know about Louisiana's new $32 million pre-school funding

The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com - December 10, 2014

State panel grapples with pre-K oversight

The Advocate - December 6, 2014

Amid some dissent, new pre-school licensing regulations approved for Louisiana

The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com - December 2, 2014

Education board moves ahead with licensing revamp

The Town Talk - December 2, 2014

Reading skills lacking for half of Louisiana kindergarten students, new data show

The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com - December 2, 2014

November 2014

Major Changes In Store For Early Childhood Programs

WWNO – November 5, 2014

Thanks to Act 3, or the Early Childhood Education Act, early child care and Pre-K programs across the state are getting revamped this fall. WWNO spoke with the Policy Institute’s Melanie Bronfin about how a new understanding of brain development in the early years – birth through age four – led to this overhaul. They also discussed what changes are being mandated in Act 3 and how, without sufficient funding, the revamp could end up hurting the people it is intended to help.

For La. moms, Paul Ryan’s poverty plan could make a bad situation worse

Aljazeera America – November 3, 2014

Eighteen years ago, federal welfare programs were transferred from an entitlement program into a "block grant" - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) - where each state gets a lump sum of money and wide discretion on how to spend it. The result is that many states, including Louisiana, now use the funds to fill budget holes instead of fighting poverty with programs such as Child Care Assistance. In 2012, 87 percent of Louisiana’s TANF funding went to other items, and since 2010, the number of children benefiting from the Child Care Assistance Programs has fallen more than 62 percent.

Number of Louisiana public school advisory committees explodes: Why so many?

Advocate (New Orleans/Baton Rouge) - November 26, 2014

MFP changes will not include new pre-K dollars, educators say

Advocate (New Orleans/Baton Rouge) - November 18, 2014

October 2014

Early childhood education vital

Shreveport Times – October 22, 2014

Phillip Rozeman, the chairman of Blueprint Louisiana and Founder of Louisiana’s Next Horizon and The Alliance For Education, says to create a brighter future for Louisiana requires common sense education reform. This starts with investing in ideas that work, like quality early childhood education. The challenge, he says, is whether Louisiana has the political will to do the work and invest the resources.

Our Views: Early start for students

The Advocate - October 4, 2014

There were large turnouts of child care providers and advocates for children at unveilings in Baton Rouge and New Orleans of a new state initiative in early childhood education. That interest is warranted, because giving Louisiana’s next generations a healthier start in education is a major undertaking.The initiative also includes an awful lot of moving parts, from private day care providers and Head Start centers to prekindergarten classrooms operated by traditional schools.

September 2014

OneApp will list more New Orleans pre-school programs this year

The Times-Picayune - September 26, 2014, updated October 02, 2014

This winter, New Orleans parents might find it easier to sign up their children for pre-school. That's thanks to an expanded OneApp for 4-year-olds.

OneApp is the computerized lottery that handles enrollment for all but 10 of the city's public elementary and high schools. Last year, it also listed 32 pre-kindergarten programs, and administrators want to add many more - with spots for possibly as many as 2,300 low-income children. Recovery School District Superintendent Patrick Dobard said it would expand "access to high-quality options for our youngest learners."

Preschool is sound investment for Louisiana: A letter to the editor

The Times-Picayune - September 24, 2014

Re: "Louisiana has a plan to improve preschool, now it needs to pay for it," Our Opinions, Sept. 19. We applaud NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune for your recent editorial. We wholeheartedly endorse Louisiana's making early care and education a budget priority this year. The research is unequivocal: Quality early care and education is one of the best investments a state can make. A child's most important brain development occurs from birth through age 4, which provides the foundation for all future learning, behavior and health to follow. Like a house, once the foundation is laid, it is difficult and expensive to go back and fix it.

Delay child care reform until all pieces are in place

Lafayette Daily Advocate Editorial - September 23, 2014

They call it Act 3 of 2012 and its purpose is to improve early childhood education for Louisiana children — especially those in the “atrisk” populations. That

will be accomplished through achievement requirements for all children, infants through age 4 years, who attend publicly funded child care facilities.

But funding cuts threaten to make its implementation difficult for child care providers.

Louisiana has a plan to improve preschool, now it needs to pay for it: Editorial

The Times-Picayune - September 19, 2014

Because of the inconsistent quality of preschool in Louisiana, only about half of state children have the basic literacy skills they need when they begin kindergarten. The learning gap may be something as simple as recognizing letters and numbers, but starting out behind can have a lingering impact on how well a child does in school.

We must fund early education act: Clancy Dubos

WWLTV - September 16, 2014

Two years ago, Gov. Bobby Jindal and state lawmakers approved the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Act. The act established statewide pre-K programs to give a head start to more than 200,000 children now living in poverty. The act is an educational milestone, but it will accomplish nothing if it's not fully funded. So far, that hasn't happened. The act takes full effect next August. That gives Jindal and lawmakers one more chance to get it right.

Pre-school revamp announced by state officials

The Times-Picayune - September 15, 2014

Starting in October, state officials will take several steps to revamp Louisiana's publicly funded early childhood education programs. It's part of the state's implementation of Gov. Bobby Jindal's pre-school overhaul, Act 3 of the 2012 legislative session, and related early childhood laws.

Child Care providers concerned about funding

The Town Talk - September 15, 2014

While most child care providers in the state support efforts to upgrade care and unify the application process for parents, they’re concerned about funding cuts and what it will cost to implement the state’s new plans.

Superintendent of Education John White and Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Suzy Sonnier on Monday laid out details of a revamped program from a unified approach to meeting the needs of thousands of Louisiana preschoolers who need preparation to begin school.

Details of pre-K overhaul in Louisiana unveiled

The Advocate - September 15, 2014

Despite tight state finances, additional financial aid will be needed to make Louisiana’s pre-K overhaul work, state Superintendent of Education John White said Monday. “We do need more money if we are going to do some of these things,” White told a jammed auditorium of child care providers and others.

White, Suzy Sonnier, secretary for the state Department of Children and Family Services, and Kathy Kliebert, secretary for the state Department of Health and Hospitals, all said the changes have the potential to have a huge, positive impact on children before they enter kindergarten.

Advocate Voices Key in Improving Early Care and Education Policies for Louisiana’s Children

Alliance for Early Success Blog Post - September 10, 2014

State education superintendent to discuss pre-school plan in Baton Rouge, New Orleans meetings

NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune - September 8, 2014

August 2014

Audit of low-income state child care facilities in New Orleans,

Baton Rouge uncover safety, health issues

Times-Picayune – August 26, 2014

In a recent inspection of child care providers in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, auditors from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found numerous infractions, despite the fact that Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services had already inspected the sites. The providers are participating in the Child Care Assistance Program that helps families obtain child care so that they may work or obtain training or education.

Ounce of Prevention-State Policy Mini-Update

The Ounce - August 2015

Louisiana's pre-schools need more than oil money to remain afloat, officials say

NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune - August 11, 2014

July 2014

Pre-K is path to success

Currents – Third Quarter 2014 (p. 20)

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation looks at the benefits of a reworked and expanded pre-K program, as well as the challenges that families and providers will face if state funding is insufficient. These reforms should improve upon existing services, and they could allow Louisiana to expand its very limited use of Diverse Delivery, where public pre-k is offered in child care or Head Start settings, a national best practices model for pre-K delivery.

Letter: Leger deserves praise for passage of early childhood bills

The Advocate - July 22, 2014

The Policy Institute for Children thanks Rep Walt Leger III for his leadership during the 2014 session on behalf of children, ages birth to four years. His work ensured not only the passage of early childhood bills, but also that these bills incorporated effective policies on behalf of our youngest citizens.

June 2014

Hot Seat with Sula Kim

WDSU - June 9, 2014

Superintendent John White discusses Act 3 and its implementation in Louisiana. He talks about the need for early childhood education - only half of Louisiana’s children can recognize 26 letters and count to 20 by the time they enter kindergarten. He also discusses the state’s plans to rework the existing system and the need for more equitable funding for early childhood programs.

May 2014

Accountability comes to the nursery

Hechinger Report - May 16, 2014

Starting next year, all publicly funded child care, Head Start, and pre-K programs in Louisiana will be held accountable for a child’s development and learning. For the littlest learners, testing means careful observation to make sure they are reaching developmental milestones, like being able to hold a crayon, retell a story, or respond to emotional cues. Any program that serves children under the age of 5 and receives public funding will get a letter grade, and programs that get bad grades for too long will lose their funding.

Louisiana pre-schools adding technology as they seek help paying for it

Times-Picayune – May 15, 2014

As Louisiana imposes academic standards for pre-school education, publicly funded child care centers around the state are beginning to realize they will need to upgrade their technology in order to comply. The new standards assessment tool, Teaching Strategies Gold, is already being piloted in 15 school districts, and it is clear schools, Head Start programs and child care centers will need to have Internet and computers in the classroom for teachers to provide the necessary data. The concern for many programs is how they will pay for the technology and the training.

March 2014

Without funding, Act 3 may limit early childhood education accessibility

LA Budget Project – March 20, 2014

The state Legislature raised the standards for high-quality early childhood education programs when it passed Act 3 in 2012, but lawmakers did not authorize new funding to help centers meet the standards. Some parents are at risk of facing higher tuition costs next year, which they might not be able to afford without additional financial support for low-income and at-risk children.

February 2014

Private Pre-K Feels Heat from Public Providers

Education Week - February 25, 2014

Expanding publicly funded preschool programs for 4-year-olds is having unintended consequences for private child care providers and parents of children under age 4. Private centers rarely earn much money on infant and toddler care, because the caregiver-to-child ratios have to be kept low, but when 4-year-olds, with their more favorable ratios, leave for a publicly funded program, some private programs falter. No one wants to discourage public funding for early-childhood programs, but if private providers disappear, there will be fewer high-quality slots for parents of infants and toddlers.

Pre-K education reform approved

American Press – February 20, 2014

In 2012, state lawmakers approved the governor’s Pre-K education reform package, known as Act 3. Pilot programs have been established in 15 parishes, with another 15 parishes are expected to roll out pilot programs in 2014, but the implementation has been hindered by the lack of new dollars. Act 3 raised the standards for all the programs, but neither increased the already inadequate funding per child, nor addressed the large disparity in funding across the programs. It is feared the result might be to set up the programs to fail. Early childhood advocates are hoping that Louisiana Legislators will consider an increase in funding in their next session.

Pre-K overhaul faces funding threat

Advocate – February 16, 2014

Childcare advocates applaud the governor’s plans to overhaul of Louisiana’s fractured prekindergarten system, but they say it is unrealistic to expect better-trained teachers, better facilities and more oversight without additional spending. The fear is that additional costs will be passed on to families, and without additional funding for child care assistance it will make early care and education options less available to the families that need them most.

Funding for early childhood education critical: Letter

Times-Picayune – February 7, 2014

Louisiana passed the Early Childhood Education Act to improve its early learning system; however, in the past five years, Louisiana has reduced overall funding from the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) by more than 50 percent, and the number of children served in CCAP has been cut in half over the same time period. The Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families calls upon the Legislature to restore funding for the Child Care Assistance Program in Louisiana.

January 2014

Op-ed: How Preschool Got Hot

New York Times – January 29, 2014

Gail Collins is pleased that so many politicians are calling for improvements in early childhood education because early education is one of the best tools for breaking the poverty-to-poverty trap. “Unfortunately,” Collins says, “it only works if it’s high quality, and high quality is expensive. Yet very little of this newfound enthusiasm comes with serious money attached.”

47 states increased pre-kindergarten spending; Louisiana didn't

Times-Picayune - January 9, 2014

Forty-seven states are spending more money this year on pre-kindergarten programs, according to a new report from the Education Commission on the States. Louisiana, however, is not one of them. Louisiana spent about $91 million of state money to educate four-year-olds during the 2012-13 academic year but this year allocated only $90 million. That's a 1.6 percent decrease, where the national average is an increase of almost 7 percent.

2013

Act Three to reform early childhood education

Knoe Channel 8 Ruston - November 1, 2013

Pre-school teachers express anxiety to John White over early childhood assessment program

Times-Picayune - Oct 22, 2013

Federal Pre-k Aid Sought

Advocate - September 17, 2013

Louisiana to Expand Testing of Pre-K Pilot Projects

Advocate - September 13, 2013

Early Education in Louisiana Takes on a New Shape

WDSU New Orleans - August 5, 2013

Testing 3-and 4-year olds is the newest front in Louisiana school accountability

Times-Picayune - July 21, 2013

2012

Panel favors pre-K overhaul

Advocate - December 5, 2012

Our Views: Another patch for pre-K fund

Advocate - November 14, 2012

Is Louisiana Getting Ready to Test Toddlers?

Andrea Gabor Blog - November 11, 2012

State to review pre-K outline

Advocate - November 05, 2012

Input from early childhood educators needed for implementing Act 3

News Star - October 24, 2012

Letter: Early education spending clarified

News Star - October 13, 2012

Letter: Policy is unfair to children