Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Study

Overview & Synopsis

At the request of the State Board of Education, the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) conducted an early childhood education policy study. The study provided an opportunity to listen to the thoughts, ideas and concerns of Nebraskans to help determine the direction of early childhood policy in the state. The policy study is an outgrowth of the State Board's early childhood recommendations in Providing Equitable Opportunities for an Essential Education for All Students. Throughout the information-gathering phase, several themes emerged regarding issues and concerns for Nebraska's young children: access to services; quality/best practices; early childhood partnerships; community support; and appropriate financing of early childhood education and care. This report details the The Early Childhood Policy Leadership Team's recommendations based on discussion of topics articulated by policy study participants and on a review of research, data, and professional literature. The review focused on three areas: factors influencing early childhood programs; rationale for early childhood programs and services; and types of early childhood programs and services. The Nebraska State Board of Education also hosted six Policy Partner Forums throughout the state during the spring of 2005 to focus on issues pertaining to the identified challenges in each of areas of service for young children: full-day kindergarten, prekindergarten, best practices K-grade 3, services for children birth to age 3, and family involvement. Relative to these five service areas, the forum participants made recommendations in program implementation, public awareness, curriculum, and access.