Despite education reforms made this past legislative session, CT did not see its name appear on Education Secretary Arne Duncan's second-round list of finalists for the remaining $3.4 billion remaining in Race to the Top Funds.  New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island were all named finalists. Winners are not expected to be announced late August/early September.

An interesting article from the New York Times. It examines the real impact kindergarten teachers have on children as they grow into adulthood. Five researchers set out earlier this year to look more deeply into adult outcomes and used a Tennessee experiment -- Project Star -- to look at the impact kindergarten teachers and a child's peers have on the child's success as an adult. The subjects, now in their early 30s, were randomly assigned to different classrooms in the 1980s. The researchers found that students who had learned much more in kindergarten were more likely to go to college than students with otherwise similar backgrounds. They were also less likely to become single parents and more likely to save for retirement. All else equal, they found that kindergarten teachers have a significant impact on our economic success as adults. 

Diane Orson covered a public hearing held by Senator Dodd in New Haven on July 26 that brought together nine witnesses to discuss early intervention programs that work for children. Dodd is hosting three of these hearings -- one in CT and two in Washington. They conclude on July 29.

This is a podcast, featuring Gerrit Westervelt, director of the Build Initiative.

Children are still born into poverty every day in the United States and the effects can wreak havoc on a child as he or she grows up. The level of investment needed to effectively develop children in their growth years is small when compared to the need and opportunity, says author Derrick Braziel.

With at least 12 states making cuts to their child care programs and recovery money running its course, some are asking the question, what will happen to children whose families cannot afford child care?

The House Appropriations subcommittee has approved a plan to include another $800 million into the budget for Race to the Top in fiscal year 2011. It is, however, too early to see if that appropriation makes it into the final budget plan.

As part of his plan to reform the state's education system, Dan Mallloy, who running for CT governor, pitched a plan to offer statewide universal pre-K.

This blog talks about a child who appears to be playing, but is also learning more than some may think.

A new look at more than 120 studies shows that there is a lasting and substantial benefit to preschool that lasts past third grade.