This week’s update includes national data which found the enrolled pre-K population dropped by 22% in the 20-21 school year, federal education spending proposals ask for historic increases, and CDC findings on disparities in access to K-12 student learning modes further confirms the stark racial discrepancies experienced over the past year and a half.

Governor DeWine signed Ohio’s two-year, $74 billion budget into law and we’ve pulled out notable items related to young children, families, and K-12 education – a thorough but certainly not exhaustive list of what is new or recently revised.

This week’s update includes a new tool that estimates the cost of quality child care by state, a new initiative will provide funding to replace aging lead pipes throughout child cares in Cleveland, and an opinion piece describing how unsustainably low wages lead to a high rate of early childhood teacher turnover.

This week’s update includes 36 million families may qualify for monthly payments under the expanded federal Child Tax Credit, a new Columbus City Council resolution acknowledging racial inequities in the City of Columbus and systemic racism that adversely impacts residents of color, and an Ohio bill would make child care an eligible political campaign expense.