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In a recent report, the Center for American Progress (CAP) tracked governors who called for investments in child care and early education in their 2024 state-of-the-state addresses. Their report shows the good news—more than half of state governors highlighted child care or pre-kindergarten, proving it’s a crucial and urgent issue on both sides of the […]

The impact of the pandemic on education is undeniable, but what’s truly concerning is the lingering effects on student attendance. Chronic absenteeism has surged, with numbers remaining stubbornly high despite the return to in-person learning. In the article A Crisis of School Absences from The New York Times, author Sarah Mervosh highlights the concerning trend […]

As childcare costs rise, it becomes even more important to support workers to keep them in the workforce. Although only 12% of US workers currently have access to childcare benefits, they’ve been proven to generate between $0.90 and $4.25 in extra earnings for employers for every $1 spent, by reducing absenteeism and retaining employees. A recent […]

The number of students receiving state-funded scholarships for private schools has surged after Ohio lawmakers expanded the EdChoice-Expansion voucher program by effectively eliminating eligibility requirements related to annual income. The data reflects, however, that most of these students have never attended a public school, undermining the claim—made by some—of a “public school exodus.” This means […]

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Child Care (OCC), has introduced a new rule to enhance access, affordability, and stability in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). The rule aims to reduce costs for families receiving child care subsidies, improve payment practices to child care providers, and expand families’ child care options. Key […]

In Ohio, the upcoming 2024 elections—including the presidential race, U.S. Senate race, and other key contests—have contributed to heightened interest amongst the state’s young voters. Voter registration in Ohio has surged, with more than 48,600 18-year-olds registered as of January 6, 2024. But despite this progress, more than 100,000 18-year-olds remain unregistered. Read this article by […]

In the article, Two-Thirds of Teachers Censor Themselves Even When They Don’t Have To, a new study by the RAND Corp. reveals that two-thirds of U.S. teachers limit discussions on political and social issues in their classrooms, even in areas where there are no legal prohibitions. This self-censorship is driven by concerns about potential parental backlash, with the […]

The United States, and many other places around the world, has experienced challenges to its Democratic Values of Liberty, Equality, and Justice. But Poland portrays a different story, where voters — especially young voters — have rebelled against a punishing religious nationalism at the polls to demand the restoration of their rights. This piece from the […]

The United States’ Gap in Election Rights Despite the United States’ perception as a beacon of democracy around the world, the U.S. Constitution possesses no affirmative right to vote. With a constitution void of statements providing the right to vote to every citizen, the United States braces for yet another contentious and contested election cycle […]

Addressing rising child care costs is essential for fostering a more inclusive and representative democracy Rising childcare costs in Ohio – comparable to college tuition – are straining the state’s system, leading to economic challenges, with parents facing work disruptions or leaving jobs due to high expenses. This article from Crain’s Cleveland Business examines the […]