This month, we are delighted to feature Early Edge California as our ongoing partner in advancing equitable education and literacy access for our youngest learners. Our partnership with them has helped bring together like-minded organizations with the goal of promoting multilingual education that supports Dual Language Learners (DLL) and English Language Learners (ELL).

Together, we have achieved significant milestones, including advocacy for Universal Preschool for all four-year-olds through expanded Transitional Kindergarten (TK) in California. We also celebrated the passage of Assembly Bill 1363 (Rivas), which Early Edge California sponsored, to develop an assets-based standardized process to identify DLLs. Gov. Newsom signed the bill on Oct. 5, 2021, and it was implemented Jan. 1, 2023. Check out Early Edge's video highlighting benefits of the DLL identification process for teachers, children and families.

For two decades, Early Edge California has been leading the charge in improving the quality of Early Learning programs by advocating for policy solutions and further investments to develop a universal preschool option, strengthen supports for Dual Language Learners, and improve working conditions for teachers and providers through increased access to professional development and fair compensation.

Additionally, Early Edge California’s Executive Director, Patricia Lozano, and Director of Dual Language Learner Programs, Carolyne Crolotte, contributed to the knowledge brief, "Promoting Equitable Early Learning and Care for Dual Language Learners." This brief was used to inform the development of the CA Governor's Master Plan for Early Learning and Care (MPELC): "Making California for All Kids," released by the California Health and Human Services Agency in December 2020.

Our partnership with Early Edge California continues to work towards the successful implementation of Universal Preschool and to support the goals that will help improve the early education of multilingual learners. With the support of other Early Learning stakeholders across the state, we are confident in our ability to achieve these goals.