CEDAR FALLS - A national early childhood education expert will be the featured speaker this week at an informational session on state-funded preschool programs hosted by the University of Northern Iowa.

Stephanie Rubin, state program director for Pre-K Now, will meet with the public at 7 p.m. Thursday at AEA 267, 3712 Cedar Heights Drive. Pre-K Now is an organization that works with state policymakers to establish voluntary prekindergarten programs for 3- and 4-year-olds. Rubin is expected to discuss state-funded programs nationwide, legislative initiatives in Iowa and successful prekindergarten models in other states. A question-and-answer period will follow her presentation.

Rubin also will be a guest speaker at an early childhood education summit Friday at UNI. Other speakers include Judy Jeffrey, director of the Iowa Department of Education, and Charles Bruner, director of the Child and Family Policy Center.

The summit is in response to current legislation making its way through the General Assembly which would establish a universal, voluntary preschool program for all 4-year-olds. This is the first of several summits expected to be hosted by the university on the topic.

Thursday's event is free and open to the public. The Friday summit is an invitation-only event.

Contact Emily Christensen at (319) 291-1520 or emily.christensen@wcfcourier.com.