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

(Washington, DC) – A congressional briefing cosponsored by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) and Pre-K Now today highlighted the importance of federal and state partnerships to support states’ voluntary pre-kindergarten efforts. "America's Pre-K Movement: State Progress on Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten and How Congress Can Help" involved speakers from the federal, state and local levels in a timely discussion about our nation’s investments in pre-k education – especially in today’s economy - and the strong federal-state partnerships that are required if the next generation is to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

“Investment in quality pre-k is a win-win – it provides immediate economic relief to families and ensures that children are prepared to thrive and succeed when they start school,” said Pre-K Now Executive Director Libby Doggett.

By their cosponsorship of today’s briefing, Senators Clinton and Bond underscored their commitment to reintroducing the Ready to Learn Act, in the next Congress. The bill aims to improve the quality of and expand access to voluntary preschool programs by providing funding for states through a competitive process and allowing governors to build on pre-existing early childhood systems. Schools, child care entities, Head Start programs or other community providers of pre-k programs will be eligible for funding.

"I believe voluntary pre-k is not only the smart thing to do, but the right thing to do," said Senator Clinton. "We already know that for every dollar we spent on early childhood education, we reap seven dollars as a society. I’ve seen it in visiting Head Start and pre-k programs where children were learning to read, learning to solve problems, learning to share and interact with others and thrive in a structured environment. And we’re seeing it around the country in states that have already started investing in early childhood programs. That’s why Senator Bond and I introduced the Ready to Learn Act to support and build on that success.”

"The early years are critical in a child's development and lay the foundation for success in school and in life," said Senator Kit Bond. "Early childhood home visitation combined with pre-k leads to increased school readiness and sustained school successes."

Attendees heard the state perspective from Governor Phil Bredesen (D-TN) who highlighted the critical role of federal support to his state's efforts to improve and expand pre-k education. Despite the tough financial climate and strong competition over every state tax dollar, Tennessee has steadily increased its investment in high-quality pre-k, but like many states, expansion beyond the status quo will be very difficult without federal support.

"I want you to know that I am committed to keeping education as our state's highest priority," Bredesen said. "Education is not only the key to success for our young people, it is the key to the future success of our state, and it starts with our support of pre-k." The governor described pre-k as an "uphill political battle" but said that in the end, "dollar for dollar, pre-k is the single best investment we can make in our kids' future."

The event also featured remarks by state leaders from Mississippi, New Mexico and Oklahoma as well school leaders from Maryland and Missouri. All speakers concurred with research indicating that pre-k programs benefit all children, and they can particularly help those at risk of arriving to kindergarten already behind their peers. The speakers insisted that now is not the time to curtail such high-yield investments; that in fact, a national economic crisis is precisely the time to invest in them.

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Pre-K Now collaborates with state advocates and policymakers to lead a movement for high-quality voluntary 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 Foundation, the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, the Foundation for Child Development, RGK Foundation, CityBridge Foundation, and the Schumann Fund for New Jersey.

The Pew Charitable Trusts (www.pewtrusts.org) is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life. We partner with a diverse range of donors, public and private organizations and concerned citizens who share our commitment to fact-based solutions and goal-driven investments to improve society.

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