| For Immediate Release: October 11, 2011 |
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U.S. Senator Robert Casey Introduces NAEYC’s Recommendations to Strengthen the Birth to Third Grade Continuum of Learning in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
WASHINGTON — The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation’s leading voice for high-quality early childhood education for children from birth through age 8, is delighted that United States Senator Robert Casey introduced today the Continuum of Learning Act, which follows NAEYC’s Call to Action recommendations for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
“The importance of high-quality developmental support and learning experiences for all young children, beginning at birth and continuing through the early grades, is better known and appreciated than ever before,” said Dr. Jerlean Daniel, Executive Director of NAEYC. “That is why this reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act must encourage further state, community and school-level policy and practices that reflect what we know is needed to create an effective continuum of development and learning from birth through age 8 that sets the course for every child’s success in school and in life.”
The Casey bill would:
- Have states review and revise their K–3 standards as needed to ensure they cover all the areas of development and learning, including social and emotional development, and approaches to learning as recommended by the National Research Council;
- Promote joint professional development between schools and community-based early childhood education programs for a shared understanding of standards, curricula and teaching practices;
- Provide professional development for elementary school principals in child development and learning, developmentally appropriate teaching practices and collaborations with community early childhood settings;
- Require states to create teaching certificates that reflect the specialized knowledge and skills of teaching young children for those teaching in the early grades and younger, and that address all domains of young children’s development and learning; and
- Strengthen collaborations between community-based early childhood programs and schools for more effective and supportive transitions for young children.
NAEYC looks forward to working with members of Congress as the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act moves through the legislative process to include these important elements.
For more information, see NAEYC’s Call to Action.
Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children is the largest and most influential advocate for high-quality early care and education in the United States.
