Assembly Commission to Release Recommendations to Improve California's Early Education System
After two years of hearings, focus groups, and study, the Assembly Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education is releasing its final report. Among the commission's recommendations are to focus on expanding access to children and families most in need and to empower parent and provider voices in policy decision making. Watch below: Speaker Anthony Rendon, parents, educators and community members discussed the report and how it will be used to ensure quality early childhood education across the state.
Who We Are
Why Early Learning Counts
The Assembly Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education is delivering its report on ways to improve the educational system for the youngest Californians. The Commission met quarterly and formed sub-committees focused to develop recommendations, and took hours of public comment. The ultimate goal is to put the ideas found in the report into action for the benefit of children, families and providers.
March 11, 2019 Hearing
What: Assembly Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education
When: March 11, 2019 from 10:00am-12:00pm
Where: State Capitol, Room 4202, Sacramento, CA 95814
Livestream:
Early Education Commission Wraps Up Series of Public Hearings
Livestream of Hearing
What We Do
The Assembly Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education is the Assembly's effort to plan an early learning system that works for children, families and providers. The Commission is dedicated to the core vision of developing strategic solutions to improve outcomes for young learners in California. The Commission met quarterly and formed sub-committees to begin developing recommendations. These recommendations will be drafted into a report to serve as guiding principles and proposals for Legislators and the next Administration to consider.
During the Great Recession, the budget for early learning was severely cut along with many other state programs. Despite recent investments, the existing system has struggled to stay afloat. Members fight hard every year to win additional dollars for children because they knew the benefits of access to quality early experiences for children.
The concept of the Blue Ribbon Commission on early childhood education was created during the 2016-17 Budget in an effort to strategically plan improvements to the underfunded and struggling early learning system. The ultimate goal is to provide more services to needy families and kids across the state through a sustainable system.
The current funding for the system is outdated and the need for access to child care continues to grow. The Assembly is using this group as a platform to discuss ways to improve the early learning system in California and put the ideas into action to inform future policy and budget actions.
Year One: February 1- 2017 – March 2, 2018
The first year was foundational. Members were appointed from the Assembly and Community and we developed a shared understanding of current issues, reviewed research and developed aspirational goals. This was accomplished through the four Hearings and formation of Sub-Committees.
Subcommittees Formed:
- Workforce retention and development
- Expand access to early learning programs
- Financing and the economic impact of ECE
- Engaging and meeting the needs of families
Hearings Held:
- Why Early is Potent (March 6, 2017)
- Early Brain Development (July 27, 2017)
- Supporting California's Growing Workforce (November 17, 2017)
- Increased Access for Children and Families (March 2, 2018)
Year Two: Plans
This coming year through the Subcommittee process and Commission Hearings we will dig more deeply into substantive issues. The full Commission will meet quarterly and Subcommittees will continue to meet in between full hearings (see below for more details). Draft recommendations from the Commission will be circulated for public comment, including agency staff feedback in late 2018, and in Spring 2019 the Report will be launched including recommendations for phased implementation.
BRC Hearings in 2018 (subject to change):
- Hearing 1: March 2, 2018 in Palm Desert, CA
- Improving Access to Early Learning
- Community input
- Hearing 2: May 3, 2018 in Sacramento, CA
- Financing Early Learning in California
- Community input
- Hearing 3: July 11, 2018 in Fresno, CA
- Access- special challenges
- Local models “pockets of success”
- Community Input
- Hearing 4: October 9, 2018 in Long Beach, CA
- Advancing Opportunities for Children and Families
- Community Input
- Hearing 5: Early 2019 in Sacramento
- Draft Report
- Draft Report
- Hearing 6: April 2019 in Sacramento
- Final Report launched
Speaker Anthony Rendon Urges Prioritizing Early Childhood Education
(Norwalk, CA) — After taking part in a tour of Cerritos College's Child Development Center, the Assembly Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education including Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood), Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) and Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) met to hear expert witnesses discuss the importance of early learning and its impact on the development of children. The Commission is a task-driven body determined to improve outcomes for children and families through early learning programs and services. You can see Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon's opening remarks in this Assembly Access video.