State policymakers can ensure that each student has access to an effective "starting position" through state policies and practices that support high-quality early learning opportunities. In considering the policies that are best for each state, the State Policy and Research for Early Education (SPREE) working group created the following framework that legislators might use to guide their work. SPREE suggests equity as the central core principle for early learning. Students are more likely to succeed if they have equal access to the resources and educational rigor at the right moment in their education, despite race, gender, ethnicity, language, disability, family background or family income. Other principles in the framework include program quality, governance, family and community engagement, and educator development. This report outlines a series of actionable strategies and policy options for state legislators to enhance their policy discussions, along with possible actions to ensure that every student has an equal start to their educational marathon and a solid foundation to finish strong. (author abstract)