Arne Duncan Agrees with NAEYC: It is time to stop playing catch-up with the acheivment gap by J.M. Holland

Arne Duncan said what we wanted to hear as early childhood educators and what we expected to hear last night. Duncan, the first Secretary of Education to ever speak at NAEYC, is definitely behind early education but, with so many other national issues it is easy to see how appropriate early childhood education might get pushed to the back burner. I think he may have gotten some applause when he didn't expect it, like when he mentioned Oklahoma as an example of high quality preschool. He got a standing ovation from about 4 people, and a round of applause, when he said, "Play is crucial." He also paraded some ideas we expected, like, outcomes based evaluation of quality early education and the push for more funding for high quality early education through the Early Learning Challenge Grants. Listen to the whole thing here:

Arne Duncan 2009 NAEYC Conference

Thanks to  @haaeyc for the image

Comments

[Deb]

I am a kindergarten educator in Michigan, and feel that pre-k education is a must for the future. I know that states are having trouble funding these kinds of programs, but I hope that somehow they will find a way. I am enjoying your blog and can't wait for your next post.

[dodi dierking]

Hi! I teach kindergarten and there is a huge academic and social difference betweeen children who attended pre-K and those who did not. Pre-K is a must as children learn so much and are expected to do even more in kindergarten. I found your blog interesting.