Kindergarten

Two years ago, the federal government began distributing $3 billion in stimulus funds to some of the nation's lowest performing schools through the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program. With SIG funds, states are expected to rapidly transform schools according to program guidelines put out by the Department of Education.

Two years ago, the federal government began distributing $3 billion in stimulus funds to some of the nation's lowest performing schools through the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program. With SIG funds, states are expected to rapidly transform schools according to program guidelines put out by the Department of Education.

Imagine a new teacher—Emily. She just graduated from a four-year university with an elementary education degree and a K–5 teaching license. Most of her field experiences were in 3rd through 5th grade classrooms, and her student teaching was in 4th grade. But Emily is offered a position in a 1st grade classroom. She is a little nervous about teaching children so young, but she accepts the job. "How different can it be?" she thinks to herself.

Early educators and child advocates continue to stress the importance of children learning to read by the end of third grade.  Legislators in several states are signaling their interest in this too by proposing third-grade retention policies that keep children from graduating to fourth grade until they can pass a reading test. Is this a smart approach?

Early educators and child advocates continue to stress the importance of children learning to read by the end of third grade.  Legislators in several states are signaling their interest in this too by proposing third-grade retention policies that keep children from graduating to fourth grade until they can pass a reading test. Is this a smart approach?

A recent podcast on BAM Radio delves into some important questions about the implications of the new technology statement from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  The podcast, titled “Play Dough or iPads in Early Education?,” featured the leaders of AEYC chapters from Florida, Texas, and Ohio, as well as myse

School districts have always been allowed to use federal Title I funds to establish preschool programs for disadvantaged children, and in fact they can use these dollars to support children beginning at birth.  But because Title I is part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act ( ESEA), currently known as No Child Left Behind, it is most often used to fund K-12 programs. Some school district leaders may not even know that these funds can be used for programs before kindergarten or may be unsure about what is and is not allowed.

On April 10, Lisa Guernsey gave a presentation to the Falls Church PTA on what the latest science is telling parents and educators about the benefits and drawbacks of screen media for children, ages 0 to 8. The presentation was based in part on new research in Screen Time: How Electronic Media -- From Baby Videos to Educational Software -- Affects Your Young Child (Basic Books, 2012).

On March 14, 2012, Lisa Guernsey gave two presentations at the New York State Educational Media and Technology Association's annual meeting.

On March 14, 2012, Lisa Guernsey gave two presentations at the New York State Educational Media and Technology Association's annual meeting. The first, "E-Books: Can They Improve Students' Reading Comprehension?," highlights the emerging research revolving around questions of whether electronic books, especially electronic picture books for young children, can be helpful or harmful as students learn to read.