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Alabama Child Care Consortium Web Site
Last Updated 6/22/2000
Kids Count Data Book...
The Kids Count Data Book, a yearly project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, was released June 20, and is now available on line or may be ordered free of charge. The Data Book reports various indicators of child well- being nationally and on a state-by-state basis, in an effort to provide policy makers, child advocates and citizens with the information they need to spark discussion and begin to effect change.
Here is link for on-line version: www.kidscount.org
Here is the link to order the hard copy: www.aecf.org/publications/
Study Finds Book Gap
Preliminary results of a national study on the availability of quality books for young children (0-5) in home and child care settings, found that many children do not have access to quality books. Child care and early education centers across the country do not have funds to build and maintain adequate supplies of developmentally appropriate, high quality children’s books. The study, ‘Access for All: Closing the Book Gap for Children in Early Childhood,’ found that instead of the recommended 5 books per child, centers have on average less than one book per child. This lack of access to books in child care has a particularly negative effect on low-income children. Dr. Susan Neuman, of Temple University, who conducted the study comments, ‘without significant public support for needed books and professional development for teachers, children from low-income families will continue to bear the brunt of this literacy gap that has powerful long-term consequences.’ The full findings of the study will be available in Fall 2000.
One possible solution to the book shortage is a recent bipartisan bill that would use proceeds from the sale of reading related postage stamps to buy children’s books for home-based and center-based child care programs. The "Book Stamp Act", introduced by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX), would also authorize appropriations of $50 million each year beginning in FY 2001 to buy books and coordinate literacy programs for low-income children in child care.