Summer vacation is a perfect time to reflect on the achievements of the students who just graduated from high school and to imagine what they will accomplish. It's also a good time to think of the students who didn't make it to the ceremony because they fell behind and dropped out.

Many of the teachers who educate San Joaquin County's youngest students are working to earn specialized degrees that policymakers hope will help improve the quality of publicly funded early-childhood education.

Five years ago, the city of West Sacramento embraced a noble mission: providing free, quality preschool to every 4-year-old in town.

In honor of the Month of the Young Child, Choices for Children's South Lake Tahoe office organized an Annual Provider Breakfast honoring the community's child-care providers for the services they provide to families and children throughout the year. CFC firmly believes that the presence of stable caregivers in a child's life has a positive effect on children's growth and development extending well beyond their early years. Unfortunately, child care is a profession with a low retention rate. Recognition such as the CFC Provider Appreciation Breakfast helps encourage providers to continue doing their important work.

Anticipating the release of California's May Revised Budget, more than 600 members of Parent Voices traveled to the Capitol, calling upon Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature to reject the proposed $200 million reduction in child-care funding.

Marie Ettiene is on a very long list.

Diane Freeman, a mother of two and the marketing director for a San Francisco law firm, is among a growing proportion of American women who are working through their pregnancies and then returning to work just months after the birth of their babies.

Los Angeles Universal Preschool is accepting nominations of preschool educators throughout L.A. County, to be considered for a Preschool Teacher of the Year award.