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It’s a momentous week in early education, both for good and for ill.
On Election Day, voters in several cities and states considered ballot measures for taxes or bonds to raise money for early care and education programs. Meanwhile, the ongoing government shutdown, now more than a month in, has left kids in the crosshairs.
Millions of children, as well as many early childhood educators, rely on SNAP benefits to help offset the cost of food each month. But those benefits have been in limbo lately. (The latest updates suggest payments will resume, but at half the normal rate and behind schedule.)
As of Nov. 1, Head Start programs serving more than 65,000 young children have either closed or are at risk of closing so long as federal funding is withheld. These are children from some of the lowest-income households in the country; many depend on the food, health care and other services that Head Start provides.
Amid the shutdown tumult, some good news has broken through. A few days ago, New Mexico became the first state in the country to offer free universal child care to every resident, regardless of income.
As with any shiny new program, the devil is in the details — New Mexico has a number of challenges to overcome before it can truly deliver on its promise of free child care for all. But families, as well as national leaders in early care and education, are buoyed by the possibilities this initiative could bring.
The general consensus seems to be that, even if New Mexico’s success is not set in stone, the mere fact that a state is willing to invest in the early years in such a big way is a victory for children and caregivers.
And right now, a victory for early learners and educators of any kind is welcome.
— Emily Tate Sullivan, EdSurge senior reporter |
📣 TOP STORIES
NOT LOSING THEIR LUNCH? While the federal government shutdown may cost millions of Americans access to food benefits, schools are expected to continue offering free and reduced-price meals to qualifying students. Here’s why that matters.
ALLIES IN EDUCATION: Support doesn’t always come through bake sales or PTA meetings — sometimes it’s a kind email, extra pencils, or a well-timed phone call. EdSurge Voices of Change fellow April Jackson believes families are often already on the side of educators. When schools invite their partnership, students benefit from a stronger foundation of trust and care.
Sponsored by Pearson
REDEFINING RIGOR: Rigor once meant mastering content and recalling facts. But in the age of AI, learning demands more. Educators are emphasizing inquiry, adaptability and problem-solving, helping students think critically, apply knowledge in new contexts and build the confidence to learn continuously throughout college, career and life. |
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COMPUTING POWER: People in many small towns have giant new neighbors: vast data centers being constructed to power new AI technology. What does that mean for nearby schools? Find out in this EdSurge video short.
Sponsored by The Pokémon Company International
THE POWER OF PLAY: Did you know that when it comes to boosting cognitive development, the game of Pokémon rivals chess? Join our upcoming webinar to discover how Pokémon clubs can spark student engagement and nurture critical skills. Register now to join live: “Running a Pokemon Club in Your School or Library,” Thursday, November 13, from 12 to 1 p.m. PT / 3 to 4 p.m. ET. |
🗞️ IN OTHER NEWS
CHOOSE OR LOSE: Sociologist Bailey Brown discusses her book, “Kindergarten Panic: Parental Anxiety and School Choice Inequality,” about the fraught process of school choice in New York City — how it pushed parents to the brink of breakdown and shifted the cultural landscape. With school choice on the rise nationwide, Brown’s findings reveal New York’s parents to be a kind of early warning system about education upheaval.
PAYMENT PAST DUE: In her research on education, Megan Thiele Strong found a direct link between higher teacher pay and lower teen suicide risk. Strong argues that teachers are vital to detecting signs of struggles in young people, yet their own economic hardships often overwhelm them, leaving them unable to help. Raising teachers’ salaries is no longer simply a question of fairness, she writes, it’s a matter of public health. |
🔗WHAT WE'RE READING
Fewer students are missing school. These state policies may have helped. (NPR)
Some Head Start preschools shutter as government shutdown continues. (The Associated Press)
The child care crisis deepens as funding is slashed for poor families. (The Hechinger Report) |
📈 STORY IN A STAT
At least 40
That’s how many home- and center-based early learning programs were completely destroyed during the devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles in January, according to reporting in LAist that uses data collected by the California Department of Social Services. Another 240 early learning programs had to close due to fire and smoke damage, but many of those have since reopened.
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The MEP supports school districts by managing a territory, aligning programs to funding initiatives; driving engagement through events, campaigns, customer outreach, professional learning opportunities, conferences & events to exceed sales goals.
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IXL Learning, developer of personalized learning products used by millions of people globally, is seeking an upbeat, customer-focused, and analytical individual to join the School Membership team.
Events
See all events and meetups
GESS Dubai 2025 | November 11-13 | Dubai, UAE
GESS Dubai is the leading educational event in the MENA region, with their 2025 edition expecting 350 premier education brands to showcase their innovations to 7,000 education professionals over the three-day event.
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reporting on the powerful forces, fascinating people
and innovative practices shaping teaching and learning. |
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