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 2013 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.)
  • North Carolina: Maintain and increase state funding for early learning programs, while also working to improve the quality of the programs. (Learn more.)
  • Washington State: Prevent cuts to the state’s “Early Childhood Education and Assistance Act” (ECEAP) and increase funding for quality initiatives of infant/toddler programs.(Learn more.)

 

America’s Edge supports efforts to connect high school students to real world experiences and  help them graduate with the skills businesses need. Education models, 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 can strengthen businesses and the economy because, as adults, participants earn more money, work more hours, have a better work ethic, and have higher skill levels.

America’s Edge is targeting its efforts in 2013 to support rigorous innovative high school education models in the following states:

  • California: Promote Linked Learning in high schools and protect state funding for California Partnership Academies, to expand opportunities for Linked Learning to gain further traction at state level. (Learn more.)
  • Maine: Advocate for innovative high school education models that promote the development of deeper learning skills. (Learn more.) 
  • New York: Advocate for innovative high school education models that promote the development of deeper learning skills. (Learn more.)
  • North Carolina: Support innovative high school education models that promote the development of deeper learning skills. (Learn more.)
  • Washington: Support “multiple pathways” legislation designed to bolster education and training systems. (Learn more.)