Senator Coons, colleagues introduce bill to expand access to high-quality early education
Ten-year initiative would increase early learning opportunities for children age five and under
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and 10 of their colleagues to introduce the Strong Start for America’s Children Act, legislation to expand access to high-quality early learning programs for children from birth to age five. Similar legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives today by George Miller, senior Democrat on the House Education and Workforce Committee, and Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY).“We owe it to our children to give them every chance to succeed in school and beyond," Senator Coons said. "Too often, children enter elementary school already lagging behind classmates who have developed critical skills in prekindergarten programs. This bill will help more children access high-quality early learning programs and enter the classroom prepared to reach their full potential. These are investments in a brighter future for our children, and every child, regardless of income, deserves the opportunity for a strong start.”
Building on the framework put forward by President Obama in his 2013 State of the Union address, the bill would focus on four key goals: boosting funding for high-quality preschool programs serving low- and moderate-income families; increasing the quality of infant and toddler care offered by providers; supporting broad-scale quality improvements to child care programs; and encouraging continued support for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program.
“Delaware PTA is honored to have Senator Coons co-sponsor legislation to support early childhood learning,” said Yvonne Johnson, president of Delaware’s Parent Teacher Association. “As a national organization, PTA recognizes the importance of early education for all children. This important piece of legislation will make these opportunities available to all children no matter where they live. PTA believes that providing early education will result in a more successful path K through 12, resulting in more students college and career ready. It is never too early to educate a child! Thank you Senator Coons for your continued support of children.”
The early childhood education proposal is a 10-year initiative to expand and improve early learning opportunities for children across the birth to age 5 continuum. The bill would fund preschool for 4-year old children from families earning below 200% of the federal poverty level, and encourage states to spend their own funds to support preschool for young children with family incomes above that income level. The legislation would establish a new federal-state partnership with formula funding for 4-year old preschool, with a state match, to all eligible states, based on each state’s proportion of 4-year olds under 200% of the federal poverty level. States would provide sub-grants to high-quality, local providers, including school districts and community-based providers, such as child care and Head Start programs. The bill also authorizes a new Early Head Start partnership with child care to improve the quality of care for infants and toddlers.
In 2011, Delaware was one of just nine states to win federal funds in the Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge. To qualify for the award, Delaware developed a comprehensive plan for transforming their early learning system with better coordination, clearer learning standards, and meaningful workforce development.
The bill’s other cosponsors include Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
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