RENO, Nev. (Colo.) – The Guinn Center has developed several proposals for Nevada’s early childhood education system that will help streamline the process.
“In Nevada, there are more than 60 organizations that make up the field and have a stake in the early childhood education field,” says Anna Colquitt, director of education policy at the Guinn Center.
According to a study by the Gin Center,
This includes 18 programs focused solely on early childhood and 45 other organizations. These programs operate under 26 different chapters of the Nevada Revised Statutes and are funded through 40 separate state budget accounts.
The Guinn Center has developed multiple proposals for Nevada’s early childhood education system.
“Our goal is to see if all of this is involved, who is making the decisions and the authority, and where the boundaries are,” Colquitt says.
Their first suggestion is to establish a centralized management structure. It means integrating federal, state, and local stakeholders to avoid internal discontent. Second, create one online portal where families can access and apply for education and early childhood resources.
“It’s complex. You have to expect them to understand the players in the game and understand how to navigate a game that is itself complex,” Colquitt says.
The Guinn Center’s research also suggests reforming funding mechanisms to improve compensation and professional development to help reduce turnover and retain high-quality staff.
Colquitt emphasized that while lawmakers already look to research when proposing new legislation or education reform, the center itself is not a lobbying agency and focuses only on research.
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