With our commitment to addressing the root causes of social injustice, Washington Appleseed is focusing its efforts in the educational policy arena on efforts to narrow the racial achievement gap. Currently, we are focusing on issues involving increasing access to high quality early education. Senior Fellow Diana Stone has authored a national report on non-federal revenue sources used by states to fund early childhood education. The first report was published in February 2006 and an updated version of report has been published in February 2008.

Many low-income, minority kids enter school behind and stay behind. Research has shown that one of the most effective methods of narrowing the persistent achievement gap is to work to increase access to high quality early education opportunities.

Although there is wide consensus on the need for early education, finding revenue sources, particularly in Washington State, is a struggle. In an effort to spur creative solutions to the funding dilemmas of policy makers and legislators, we have undertaken a project to examine how states finance their pre-k programs around the country. We are particularly interested in highlighting innovative strategies that other states have utilized in finding sufficient funds for universal, voluntary preschool programs. We will use this information to advocate creative alternatives with our Washington legislators and the governor's Early Learning Council, which will be making policy recommendations in the next year and a half.

To view a PDF version of the 2008 updated report, please click here.