State Policies America’s Edge Supports

 

America’s Edge supports ensuring children have access to high-quality early care and pre-K state programs.  Even in tough budget times, states must continue to invest in these programs because that investment is critical to our country’s economic revitalization both short- and long-term, including job creation:

  • Every $1 invested in early care and education generates roughly $2 for the local economy.
  • Spending by every 4 workers employed in early care and education supports an additional new job in another sector of the local economy.

Research confirms that the availability of quality early learning programs in a community:

  • Reduces absenteeism of working parents;
  • Reduces employee turnover;
  • Increases employee retention;
  • Increases productivity;
  • Increases earnings and tax revenues; and
  • Attracts better employees and new businesses to communities.

America’s Edge is targeting its efforts in 2012 to support high-quality early care and education programs in the following states:

  • Illinois: Prevent cuts to the state’s “Preschool for All” program and child care assistance program. (Learn more.)
  • Michigan: Prevent cuts to the state’s pre-K and child care programs. (Learn more.)
  • New York: Prepare for full implementation of QUALITYstarsNY and prevent cuts to the state’s pre-K and child care programs. (Learn more.)
  • Washington State: Prevent cuts to the state’s “Early Childhood Education and Assistance Act” (ECEAP). (Learn more.)

 

America’s Edge supports effoorts to connect high school students to real world experiences and which help them graduate with the 21st century skills businesses need. Career Academies, which connect academics and hands-on learning opportunities to actual needs in the state’s economy, help prepare students for both college and career. Linked Learning in California – one model of Career Academies – can strengthen businesses and the economy because, as adults, participants earn more money, work more hours; have a better work ethic; and have a higher skill level.

America’s Edge is targeting its efforts in 2012 to support rigorous Career Academy models in the following states:

  • California: Support “Linked Learning,” a type of Career Academies, in selected school districts. (Learn more.)