Promoting Early Childhood Literacy: Highlights of State Efforts

This report looks at state policies and funding to expand early literacy resources, separate from federal family literacy and Head Start programs. Major findings include:

• Almost three-quarters of the states report having training and professional preparation for early childhood teachers to learn how to foster literacy skills.
• 21 states have professional development programs focused specifically on literacy for younger children.
• One third of the states provide resources to early childhood classrooms and teachers, such as books, reading kits, computers and hotlines.
• More than half of the states have developed a set of program standards, guidelines, benchmarks and/or indicators of young children's development that include content on literacy.

The report concludes states are taking varied approaches to promoting the development of early literacy. A significant number of states are developing curriculum guidelines and training programs. But some states have made little or no effort in the areas of professional development and program guidelines.