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The Children's Equity Project

@childrensequity.bsky.social
432 followers 17 following 292 posts

Closing opportunity gaps and advancing equity in all of the systems that impact the lives of children and families. cep.asu.edu

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 6h
What could happen to classroom conditions if Head Start ratios and group sizes followed state child care licensing rules? Our latest report builds on our previous work exploring ratios, and expands to group sizes. Read the report: ow.ly/YwvX50ZThTO #HeadStart #ECE
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 12h
Harsh and exclusionary discipline starts early, disproportionately impacting Black, AI/AN, and disabled children and boys. What happens when Head Start protections are replaced by uneven state policies? Read our new report: ow.ly/MvzI50ZSv6z
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
🧠 Screening rates vary sharply by system. 📊 In 2024, 72% of children in Head Start received screenings examined in our report, vs. 39% in Medicaid. 📍 Mississippi: 92% in Head Start vs. 6% in Medicaid. 🔗 cep.asu.edu/resources/access-inclus…
A toddler playing with a colorful stacking toy while an adult watches, alongside statistics on Early Head Start screenings in 2024.
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
♿ Inclusion for young children with disabilities varies widely. 🏫 In Head Start, children with disabilities learn alongside their peers. Nationally, only 43% of preschoolers with disabilities receive services in regular early childhood programs. 🔗 ow.ly/T1cY50ZQQxX
Infographic showing 100% of Head Start preschoolers with disabilities aged 3-5 receive inclusive special education, compared to 43% national average.
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
♿ State child care policies vary widely on disability inclusion: • 44 states address care for children with disabilities • Only 5 require accessible child care centers • About 1 in 3 require accommodations • 12 require appropriate materials/equipment Read more: ow.ly/N0Ju50ZQQxy
Map showing average monthly percentages of children with disabilities receiving child care subsidies by state in FY2023, with Georgia highest at 15%.
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Inclusion for preschoolers with disabilities varies widely by state, while Head Start centers include children with disabilities alongside peers. Our new report looks at why: ow.ly/Wm0j50ZQQx3 #DisabilityInclusion #HeadStart #EarlyLearning #SpecialEducation
Bar chart comparing the percent of preschoolers with disabilities receiving special education services in inclusive settings in FY 2023. Head Start is highest at 100%, compared with 36.1% across all states. Colorado is highest among states at 90.6%, while Idaho is lowest at 6.5%.
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Teacher-child ratios matter—especially for children who need more individualized support. If Head Start ratios were replaced by state licensing standards, about 80% of enrolled children would experience worse ratios. Read more: ow.ly/e3Pg50ZPvC1 #HeadStart #DisabilityInclusion
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Access to inclusive early learning can vary widely for children with disabilities. Our new report examines what children need to thrive and compares Head Start’s inclusion standards with state policies. Read more: ow.ly/MIjI50ZPvvy #HeadStart #DisabilityInclusion #EarlyChildhoodEducation
Child playing with colorful toys on the cover of the Children’s Equity Project report, “Access & Inclusion for Children with Disabilities in Head Start: A Review of the Research and a Policy Comparison Between Head Start Standards and States,” published September 2026.
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
100% vs. 43%. In Head Start, children with disabilities receive services alongside their peers. Nationally, just 43% of preschoolers with disabilities receive special education services in regular early childhood programs. Read more: ow.ly/ANM750ZPvzY #HeadStart #DisabilityInclusion
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
What does meaningful inclusion look like for young children with disabilities? Our new report examines how Head Start’s disability inclusion standards compare with state early care and education policies. Read the report: ow.ly/BfG250ZPvtu #HeadStart #DisabilityInclusion #EarlyChildhood
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
New CEP Report: Our 4th report examines how rolling back Head Start Program Performance Standards could affect access and inclusion for children with disabilities. Read the report: ow.ly/H0WJ50ZPn5w Check out our other resources: ow.ly/rH5950ZPn5x
Cover of the Children’s Equity Project report “Access & Inclusion for Children with Disabilities in Head Start,” featuring a young child playing with colorful learning materials outdoors. Subtitle: “A Review of the Research and a Policy Comparison Between Head Start Standards and States.” Published September 2026.
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
If a young child may have a developmental delay or disability, timing matters. ⏱️ In 2024, 72% of newly enrolled Early Head Start children ages 0–3 received screenings within 45 days. Among those screened, 19% needed further evaluation. 🔎 🔗 ow.ly/7Ptr50ZPSb0 #HeadStart #EarlyIntervention
A toddler playing with a colorful stacking toy while an adult watches, alongside statistics on Early Head Start screenings in 2024.
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Reposted by The Children's Equity Project
Conor P. Williams @conorpwilliams.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Here's a short column that Dr. Shantel Meek and I wrote about current multilingualism arguments around Head Start: www.the74million.org/zero2eight/t...
the74million.org
Trump Administration’s English-Only Head Start Edict is Bad for Young Learners
About a third of Head Start’s 800,000 kids are dual language learners. Banning bilingual instruction would hurt their ability to master English.
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Preschool discipline disparities start early: boys are 54% of enrollment but 84% of expulsions; Black children are 18% of enrollment but 33% of expulsions. Explore our new report: ow.ly/jqJF50ZOu6T #ExclusionaryDiscipline #EarlyLearning #ChildDevelopment #HeadStart
Bar chart comparing preschool enrollment, out-of-school suspension, and expulsion shares for boys, Black children, American Indian or Alaska Native children, and children of two or more races. Boys represent 54% of enrollment but 81% of suspensions and 84% of expulsions; Black children represent 18% of enrollment but 38% of suspensions and 33% of expulsions.
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Harsh and exclusionary discipline starts early, disproportionately impacting Black, AI/AN, and disabled children and boys. What happens when Head Start protections are replaced by uneven state policies? Read our new report: ow.ly/bATH50ZLJR3
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
👶 Quality matters. If Head Start were required to follow state child care licensing standards, 2-year-olds would see the biggest decline in teacher-to-child ratios. ⚠️ In 24 states, ratios would at least double. 📖 Learn more: ow.ly/yuML50ZLJQW
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Watch the Campaign for Grade Level Reading webinar on the proposed changes to Head Start & what they could mean for children, families, & communities. The CEP’s Dr. Shantel Meek & a panel of experts joined in on the conversation. Watch the recording: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD2bQxZZp1c
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
About 1/3 of Head Start kids are dual language learners (DLLs). Research shows bilingualism is a distinct asset that boosts long-term reading, math, & earnings. Our new brief shows why dual language education is the gold standard for success. Learn more: ow.ly/kvC750ZLJQS
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Harsh and exclusionary discipline starts early, disproportionately impacting Black, AI/AN, and disabled children and boys. What happens when Head Start protections are replaced by uneven state policies? Read our new report: ow.ly/Xxyy50ZN6YV
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
As of 2024, 17 states still allow corporal punishment in public schools. Research links the practice to physical harm and negative outcomes for children. Explore CEP’s new report: ow.ly/8ofZ50ZL5KO #EarlyChildhoodEducation #CorporalPunishment #EducationPolicy #ChildSafety
U.S. map highlighting 17 states that allow corporal punishment in public schools as of 2024: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Only 14 states have policies that align with Head Start’s exclusionary discipline protections in content, & just 7 apply across the full 0–5 age range. See our new report: ow.ly/S92350ZL5JR #HeadStart #EducationPolicy #EarlyLearning #ExclusionaryDiscipline #EducationEquity
U.S. map showing state alignment with Head Start Program Performance Standards on exclusionary discipline. Seven states align for ages 0–5, seven align only for preschool-aged children, and most states are shown as not aligned.
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Black children are 18% of preschool enrollment, but 38% of out-of-school suspensions and 33% of expulsions. These disparities start early. Explore CEP’s new report: ow.ly/MEHt50ZL5Jm #EarlyChildhoodEducation #EducationEquity #Preschool #ExclusionaryDiscipline #EarlyLearning
Stacked bar chart comparing preschool enrollment, out-of-school suspensions, and expulsions by race and ethnicity. Black children represent 18% of enrollment, 38% of suspensions, and 33% of expulsions; children of two or more races represent 5%, 9%, and 7%, respectively.
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Preschool discipline disparities start early: boys are 54% of enrollment but 84% of expulsions; Black children are 18% of enrollment but 33% of expulsions. Explore our new report: ow.ly/nhX150ZL5Ij #ExclusionaryDiscipline #EarlyLearning #ChildDevelopment #HeadStart
Bar chart comparing preschool enrollment, out-of-school suspension, and expulsion shares for boys, Black children, American Indian or Alaska Native children, and children of two or more races. Boys represent 54% of enrollment but 81% of suspensions and 84% of expulsions; Black children represent 18% of enrollment but 38% of suspensions and 33% of expulsions.
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Harsh and exclusionary discipline starts early, disproportionately impacting Black, AI/AN, and disabled children and boys. What happens when Head Start protections are replaced by uneven state policies? Read our new report: ow.ly/6wlc50ZJG5X
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
DLLs need linguistically appropriate assessments. Without them, DLLs risk misidentification for special ed or missing needed services. Weakening Head Start’s bilingual assessment standards could threaten access to early intervention under IDEA. Learn more: ow.ly/OHMh50ZH8Jy
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Strong Head Start programs rely on strong family partnerships. For non-English-speaking families, bilingual staff are essential for communication, trust, & engagement. 🌎In Puerto Rico, 99% of enrolled Head Start children are DLLs. ➡️ Read the brief: ow.ly/VN1r50ZH8uv
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
👶 Teacher ratios are critical to young children’s safety, development, and learning. ⚠️ If Head Start adopted state licensing standards, ratios for 2-year-olds would at least double in 24 states. Lowering standards puts quality and equity at risk. 📖 ow.ly/OrK750ZH8un
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
About 1/3 of Head Start kids are dual language learners (DLLs). Research shows bilingualism is a distinct asset that boosts long-term reading, math, & earnings. Our new brief shows why dual language education is the gold standard for success. Learn more: ow.ly/131150ZH8u8
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Join the Campaign for Grade Level Reading for a timely conversation on the proposed changes to Head Start & what they could mean for children, families, and communities. The CEP’s Shantel Meek & a panel of experts will join in. 📅 Sept. 8 | 3–4:30 p.m. ET 🔗 Register: ow.ly/KziS50ZHawY
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
State child care licensing standards & Head Start (HS) Program Performance Standards are not the same. If HS adopted state licensing standards, 97% of 2-year-olds in Early HS would face worse teacher-to-child ratios. 47 states + DC have weaker ratios. ow.ly/wjhU50ZweG3
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Lowering the Bar: An Analysis of How Replacing Head Start Standards with State Child Care Licensing Weakens Early Learning Across the United States | The Children's Equity Project
Image Lowering the Bar: An Analysis of How Replacing Head Start Standards with State Child Care Licensing Weakens Early Learning Across the United StatesThis report explores the policy distinctions between state child care center-based licensing standards and the Head Start Program Performance Stand…
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Accurate bilingual assessment protects #duallanguagelearners. Dropping #HeadStart standards risks misdiagnosis & deprives kids of needed early intervention. Read the full brief to understand the intersection of language standards & #specialeducation: ow.ly/32sv50ZFt7f
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
📣 What’s next for Head Start? Join the CEP’s Dr. Shantel Meek and panelists for a timely conversation on the proposed changes to Head Start and what they could mean for children, families, and communities. Sept. 8 | 3–4:30 PM ET Register: ow.ly/byXB50ZFWR0
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Changes Ahead for Head Start: Examining the New Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - LEO | Learning & Engagement Opportunities Network
Panel Panelist Deborah Bergeron, Ph.D. Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Innovation, National Head Start Association Former Director, Office of Head Start, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Panelist […]
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Strong early childhood programs rely on strong family partnerships. Eliminating Head Start’s bilingual staff requirements weakens these ties, strains workers, & threatens culturally rooted care in communities like Puerto Rico. Learn more: ow.ly/X6YJ50ZFt4M #HeadStart #DualLanguage
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Language access in early ed is a federally mandated civil right. Since 1975, Head Start performance standards have guaranteed bilingual staff for multilingual kids. Removing them violates statutory law. Policy brief: ow.ly/mzVA50ZFt4h #HeadStartAct #EarlyEd
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Almost 40% of Head Start kids are dual language learners (DLLs). Research shows bilingualism is a distinct asset that boosts long-term reading, math, & earnings. Our new brief shows why dual language education is the gold standard for success. Learn more: ow.ly/NGAn50ZF1jQ
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Our new report highlights Head Start’s 50+ year legacy supporting dual language learners. Per federal mandate, high-quality dual language education outperforms English-only models—boosting English proficiency, academics, and long-term earnings. ow.ly/enZq50ZENNA
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
State child care licensing standards & Head Start (HS) Program Performance Standards are not the same. If HS adopted state licensing standards, 97% of 2-year-olds in Early HS would face worse teacher-to-child ratios. 47 states + DC have weaker ratios. ow.ly/wjhU50ZweG3
cep.asu.edu
Lowering the Bar: An Analysis of How Replacing Head Start Standards with State Child Care Licensing Weakens Early Learning Across the United States | The Children's Equity Project
Image Lowering the Bar: An Analysis of How Replacing Head Start Standards with State Child Care Licensing Weakens Early Learning Across the United StatesThis report explores the policy distinctions between state child care center-based licensing standards and the Head Start Program Performance Stand…
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
CEP was featured in The Washington Post on proposed changes to Head Start & what they could mean for children & families. Our research shows Head Start’s standards support high-quality learning, health, inclusion & family engagement. Read the full piece: ow.ly/H54c50ZAZvi
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
About 1 in 3 young children in the U.S. are dual language learners. Head Start standards protect language access, support home language development & strengthen family partnerships. These protections have been in place for 50+ years. ⏳ Learn more: ow.ly/qR2F50ZAZkY
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
👶 Quality matters. If Head Start were required to follow state child care licensing standards, 2-year-olds would see the biggest decline in teacher-to-child ratios. ⚠️ In 24 states, ratios would at least double. 📖 Learn more: ow.ly/UpUZ50ZzyvZ
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
🧩 Head Start has led inclusive early learning since before IDEA, ensuring children with disabilities are fully supported. Replacing its standards with state licensing risks this, as state inclusion rules remain inconsistent. 🔎 ow.ly/nGoS50Zyiob
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Early learning outcomes are entirely contingent on quality experiences for children; quality is codified in the HSPPS. Check out these published stories featuring our report below. Washington Post: ow.ly/b3zJ50ZyFNI ABC News: ow.ly/Nmsm50ZyFNK Report: ow.ly/3ba150ZyFNJ
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families are a child’s first teachers, and Head Start puts them at the center—referencing families 198 times across all operations! Yet state licensing lags far behind: only 21 states have family involvement policies, and just 12 require them. 📖 ow.ly/hHXI50ZyimN
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Research shows harsh discipline starts early, disproportionately impacts Black children, boys & children with disabilities, & leads to negative outcomes. 🌱 HSPPS protects children w discipline safeguards, strong ratios & mental health supports. HSPPS ≠ state licensing. 📖 ow.ly/iZWg50ZwoCJ
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
📊 If Head Start ratios were replaced by state child care licensing standards: 👶 Infants in 4+ states would see ratios rise 50%+; 🧒 2-year-olds in 24 states would see ratios at least double; ⚠️ 80% of children (0–4) would have worse ratios. 📖Learn more: ow.ly/PaLY50Zwoyg
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
📊 Head Start Program Performance Standards ≠ state child care licensing. 🌱 Head Start promotes child development; state licensing sets the minimum to operate. ⚠️ ZERO states match Head Start's teacher-to-child ratios from birth to age 5. 📖Learn more: ow.ly/g00350Zworv
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
👶 Quality matters. If Head Start were required to follow state child care licensing standards, 2-year-olds would see the biggest decline in teacher-to-child ratios. ⚠️ In 24 states, ratios would at least double. 📖 Learn more: ow.ly/u8lv50Zwolf
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
State child care licensing standards & Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) are not the same. If Head Start adopted state licensing standards, 97% of 2-year-olds in Early Head Start would face worse teacher-to-child ratios. 47 states + DC have weaker ratios. ow.ly/fFSV50ZweGq
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Our report shows why Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) ≠ state child care licensing standards. Licensing sets minimum safety requirements & Head Start sets the conditions for kids. Replacing HSPPS w state licensing lowers the bar for quality. Learn more: ow.ly/jru050ZvW22
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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
📢 Join us for a NABE Webinar! Early childhood education is facing critical challenges, from educator shortages to system gaps for dual language learners. Let's discuss solutions together! 💡✨ 🗓️ Tuesday, August 4th ⏰ 4 PM ET Register today: nabe.org/advocacy-days/
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