Print this page  |  Email this pageEmail this page
Pre-K Now
Press Releases 
August 1, 2007
Contact:

Holly Barnes Higgins
Office 202.862.9863
Mobile 202.834.6846
hhiggins@preknow.org

Pre-K Now Executive Director, Libby Doggett on Pre-K Legislation Proposed by Congresswoman Hirono

"We applaud Congresswoman Hirono's vision and commitment to providing children across this country with greater access to high-quality early learning programs that will benefit them, their families, and ultimately, our nation. The bold legislation proposed today reflects the "trickle up" phenomenon we"re seeing in which national leaders are responding to an unprecedented level of momentum for pre-kindergarten at the state level.

"Still, while Governors and state legislators are making significant investments in pre-k, state-funded programs currently serve less than 20 percent of our 3- and 4-year olds, and program quality and access remain serious issues. This legislation lends a strong hand of support to states that are working to improve access to high-quality pre-k – a critically important step in strengthening our country's education system from the foundation up."

The legislation, introduced today by Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and co-sponsored by Reps. George Miller (D-CA), Susan Davis (D-CA), John Tierney (D-MA), and Robert Andrews (D-NJ) would provide $1,000,000,000 (per fiscal year through 2013) in federal funds for states with pre-k programs to assist in teacher training, small class size, and comprehensive services such as health screening and nutrition. The grant would be available first to states with significant populations of low-income children and then to other states, all with existing pre-k programs.

Pre-K Now collaborates with state advocates and policymakers to lead a movement for high-quality pre¬kindergarten for all three and four year olds. The following funders contribute to making this important work possible: The Pew Charitable Trusts, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the McCormick Tribune Foundation, RGK Foundation, the Foundation for Child Development, CityBridge Foundation, and the Schumann Fund for New Jersey.

###

Related Materials
  • Video of Rep. Hirono's one-minute floor speech introducing the "PRE-K Act"
 
Resource Center
Pre-K Advocates
Policymakers
Media
Business and Community Leaders
Educators
Families
Explore the Pre-K Evidence
Our collection of original reports and links to other studies will give you a deeper view into pre-k policy.
browse reports on pre-k
Video: Briefing on America's Pre-K Movement
Pre-K Now held a briefing for congressional staff, cosponsored by Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Kit Bond, on October 1. Hear what a governor, three superintendents, two directors of early childhood programs, and a national teacher of the year think Congress should do to increase families' access to quality, state-funded pre-k.
watch and learn more
The movement to establish high-quality pre-k for every child who needs it will be America's statement about its children in the 21st Century.