(Washington,
D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced the Ready to Learn
Act, which would help prepare children for kindergarten by providing funding
for states through a competitive process to establish and administer voluntary
preschool programs. This legislation would also support governors who want to
build on pre-existing early childhood systems including schools, child care
entities, Head Start programs, or other community providers of pre-kindergarten
programs. The Ready to Learn Act was co-sponsored by Senator Al Franken (D-MN).
“As
a former preschool teacher, I’ve seen first-hand the impact that high-quality
early childhood education has on the success of our children,” said Senator
Patty Murray. “When children enter kindergarten ready to learn, they are
well on their way to success in school and beyond. And if we want our
students to come out of schools ready to compete and win in the 21st
century economy, we need to make sure they start off on the right track. So my
bill will help families and communities across the country provide their
children with the strong educational start they deserve.”
See more information on the Ready to Learn Act
Research
has shown that the early years are critical in a child’s development and that
pre-kindergarten education offers benefits extending through the first years of
school and beyond.
Children
who attend high-quality pre-k programs are less likely to be held back a grade
or to need special education, and they are more likely to graduate from high
school. They also have higher earnings as adults and are less likely to become
dependent on welfare or involved in crime.
The
Ready to Learn Act will help prepare children for kindergarten by providing
funding for states to establish high-quality early learning programs to promote
school readiness for four-year-olds in their state. Funding will be allocated
to states through a competitive process to establish and administer voluntary
preschool programs, while allowing governors to build on pre-existing early
childhood systems. Schools, child care entities, Head Start programs, or other
community providers of pre-kindergarten programs are all eligible for
sub-grants.
To
ensure high-quality programs that properly prepare children to be ready to
learn, state plans will require qualified teachers, a developmentally,
culturally and linguistically appropriate early learning curriculum and support
for professional development.
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