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

(Washington, DC) – In testimony today at the Center for American Progress, Executive Director of Pre-K Now Libby Doggett, Ph.D. spoke before a filled room of child advocates, community leaders and current and former policymakers on the historic nature of two recently introduced pieces of legislation: Senator Clinton's "Ready to Learn" bill and Senator Casey's "Prepare All Kids" bill.

"This is a remarkable moment in history in which an unprecedented level of support for pre-k at the state level has 'trickled up' to the national level," said Doggett. "Both of these bills set new benchmarks for federal investment in pre-k."

Along with Carol Brunson Day, President and CEO, National Black Child Development Institute and Harriet Dichter, Deputy Secretary, Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Pennsylvania Departments of Public Welfare and Education, Doggett's testimony followed remarks from both Senator Clinton and Senator Casey about their respective bills. The testimony specified ways that the federal government can begin supplementing state efforts to build high-quality pre-k systems, including expanding beyond disadvantaged children, and in many states, expanding beyond just for 4-year-olds.

In particular, both pieces of legislation draw on 40 years of research and best practices at the state level that have demonstrated the importance of high quality standards, including:

• Teachers with bachelor's degrees in every classroom;
• Teacher-child ratios of one to ten and class size limits of 20;
• Developmentally appropriate, research-based curricula;
• Ongoing teacher professional development;
• Clear reporting instructions to ensure that progress is being made.

Doggett also commended the bills and their sponsors for incorporating the strengths of the diverse delivery system already in place in many states, which allow community-based pre-k providers, as well as schools, to be eligible for federal funding.

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.

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• Libby Doggett's complete testimony
• Full transcript of Center for American Progress Action Fund event, "The Push for Quality Pre-School Education"