National Conference of State Legislators Update

February 2009

In this Update:

Upcoming Events
- NCSL's National Education Seminar


What's New
- Early Care and Education 2009 Legislative Database
- Economic Recovery Act Resources


Recent Events
- Prekindergarten Institute: Building on State Leadership

Upcoming Publications
- Early Care and Education State Budget Actions FY 2009
- Child Care and Early Education 2008 Legislative Action


Upcoming Events

NCSL's National Education Seminar, February 27-29, 2009

NCSL is pleased to expand its 2009 National Education Seminar to include an early learning track. Sessions include:


· Innovative Funding for Pre-Kindergarten: A Superintendent's Story

· Absenteeism in Kindergarten–How Big is the Problem and what are the Solutions?

· Pre-Kindergarten's Impact on Later Grades

· Innovations in Early Learning–Public-Private Partnerships

· Kindergarten Plus: Helping Disadvantaged Children to Close the Achievement Gap



The 2009 NCSL National Education Seminar is February 27-29 at the Doubletree Paradise Valley Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona. Please visit the NCSL National Education Seminar website to register.

What's New

Early Care and Education 2009 Legislation Database

The National Conference of State Legislatures works in cooperation with StateNet to bring you up to date information about early care and education bills that have been introduced in the fifty states and the District of Columbia. Search all 2009 and 2008 early care and education legislation by state; topic; keyword; year; status; or primary sponsor. Go to NCSL's Early Care and Education Legislative Action page to learn more.

Economic Recovery Act Resources

NCSL's Economic Recovery Act Resources

Get up to date information on the economic recovery package. Visit NCSL's website for more information.

· The NCSL Early Care and Education program is currently considering hosting a conference call to discuss sections of the Economic Recovery Act that are relevant to early care and education. Additional information such as, call date, time and call in information will be sent through the legislative network when it becomes available.


Additional Resources

· Details on the early care and education provisions from ZERO TO THREE

· Details on the early education components of the economic recovery bill from the Early Ed Watch blog.

· An interactive Map on the final House-Senate compromise from the Center for American Progress provides a at the distribution of funds.


NOTE: NCSL provides links to other Web sites from time to time for information purposes only. Providing these links does not necessarily indicate NCSL's support or endorsement of the site.

Recent Events

Prekindergarten Institute: Building on State Leadership

The Prekindergarten Institute, held in Atlanta Georgia December 10-11, 2008 offered legislators the opportunity to engage with their peers from across the county in a high-level meeting on early education. The meeting featured national and state experts and researchers who presented research, data and examples of states initiatives. This Institute addressed several pre-k topics, including the latest research findings, early childhood advisory councils, and policy and funding options for early education in initiatives in tough economic times. Approximately 35 legislators from 20 states attended the Institute. To view meeting materials and to listen to session recordings please visit the NCSL website.

Upcoming Publications

Early Care and Education State Budget Actions FY 2009

For the second year in a row, NCSL surveyed states and territories about recent child care, prekindergaten, home visiting and additional early learning appropriations. Preliminary survey results show states increased funding for early care and education programs significantly during the last several years. Most of the budget actions took place before the economic downturn, with a number of states that have made or plan to make post-enactment adjustments. The report will be available soon, so keep checking the website.

This is NCSL's second report on early care and education state budget actions. From FY2007 to FY 2008, states reported an increase of more than a $1 billion in general funds to child care, prekindergarten, home visiting, and other early learning programs. To access last year's report on FY 2007 and FY 2008 early care and education state budget actions, click here.

Child Care and Early Education 2008 Legislative Action

NCSL's annual summary on early care and education legislative action will be available soon. View summaries and highlights of states' enacted legislation from 2008 on topics such as: Task forces and councils, prekingdergarten, birth to five, and more!
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This e-update is made possible by the generous support of First Five Years Fund and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.. If you have information you would like to share with us, please email Stephen Fagan.

This e-update is an informational service for state legislators and legislative staff who are part of NCSL's Child Care and Early Education Legislative Network. Contact Stephen Fagan or call (303) 856-1374 for more information about the content of this update, to submit information about your state, or to SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE.









Stephen Fagan
Research Analyst, Children & Families Program
National Conference of State Legislatures
7700 E. First Place
Denver, CO 80230
(303) 364-7700 (main)
(303) 364-7800 (fax)
(303) 856-1374 (direct)
stephen.fagan@ncsl.org