Original Source | New York Times
By David Leonhardt, Thursday July 27, 2010

How much do your kindergarten teacher and classmates affect the rest of your life?

Economists have generally thought that the answer was not much. Great teachers and early childhood programs can have a big short-term effect. But the impact tends to fade. By junior high and high school, children who had excellent early schooling do little better on tests than similar children who did not - which raises the demoralizing question of how much of a difference schools and teachers can make.

Original Source | West Linn Tidings
By Senator Richard Devlin, Thursday July 15, 2010

Too many children start school behind their peers, and many never catch up.

Research has shown gaps in vocabulary and language proficiency between children from low-income families and their more affluent peers. We know that there is a critical opportunity during the first five years of life to positively affect a child's chance at success. These pieces of evidence inform our strategy for closing the achievement gap through high-quality early education programs such as Oregon Pre-Kindergarten (OPK) and Early Head Start. These programs provide emotionally supportive and language-rich environments that positively support the development of a child's brain. From birth to age five, Early Head Start and Pre-Kindergarten in Oregon provide comprehensive developmental programs that integrate education with other important components such as child health, nutrition, mental health, parent education and family support.

Original Source | Portland Business Journal
By Matthew Kish, Thursday May 27, 2010

Gov. Ted Kulongoski on Thursday announced the formation of the Early Childhood Matters Advisory Council which will work to improve school readiness.

The council makes Oregon eligible for up to $1 million in federal funding.

Original Source | The Oregonian
By George Rede, Saturday May 8, 2010

All across the state, and especially in an election year, education and school reform are hot topics among candidates and constituents.

Original Source | The Oregonian
By Betsy Hammond, Monday April 12, 2010

Oregon is one of six states chosen by the National Governors Association to help pioneer higher day care standards that could serve as a model for the rest of the country, the association announced today.

Andrea J. Wright/Special to The Oregonian