Talk of spending cuts as state lawmakers grapple with a nearly $2.4 billion budget gap prompted the decision to shut down a Smart Start program in Halifax County. Talk of spending cuts as state ...

A state audit is looking at whether the Smart Start program is making the grade in North Carolina schools. The 15-month audit does not question the benefits of the early childhood initiative, but it ...

An early childhood education program championed by Gov. JB Pritzker is ahead of schedule when it comes to increasing access to preschool in Illinois. The Smart Start program passed last May as part of ...

Two preschoolers play with toys at a Rochester Elementary School early childhood classroom. Two preschoolers play with toys at a Rochester Elementary School early childhood classroom. An early ...