10 New Ideas for Early Education in the NCLB Reauthorization

Allow Reading First funds to be used for pre-k language and literacy activities.

Tap supplemental educational services and public school choice set-aside funds for high-quality Prekindergarten.

Improve accountability for early education programs.

Restructure elementary schools identified for reconstitution as PreK-3^rd Early Education Academies.

Strengthen the ability of charter schools to deliver high-quality Prekindergarten.

Combine NCLB's Title V block grant program with Head Start's newly authorized state early childhood coordination initiative to create a single "2020 Early Education" state grant program.

Require pre-k programs operated in public schools or with Title I funds to employ "highly qualified early educators" as lead teachers.

Create a "Pathways to Pre-kindergarten Teaching" alternative certification demonstration program.

Provide targeted professional development to individual teachers.

Expand the representation of English Language Learners in Prekindergarten programs.