Pre-K Now
Policymaker Profiles

Leadership is critical to making pre-k a reality for our nation's three and four year olds. When a governor or other policymaker understands the importance of pre-k, they can raise the issue publicly and create discussion and action.

Despite budget deficits many state leaders are making pre-k a priority. Here are a few of the individuals who are putting children first in their states. If you would like to suggest a policymaker to be profiled, please submit your suggestion to info@preknow.org.

Governor, New Mexico
See how a southwestern governor fought to triple the number of children with access to pre-k in his state.

Gobernador, Nuevo México
Vea cómo un gobernador del suroeste luchó para triplicar el número de niños con acceso a la educación pre-kindergarten en su estado.

State Superintendent of Education, Louisiana
Learn about one chief state school officer's commitment to creating hope for children in one of the nation's most disadvantaged states.
 
Resource Center
Pre-K Advocates
Policymakers
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Business and Community Leaders
Educators
Families
Tips & Tasks for State Advisory Councils
While reauthorizing Head Start in 2007, Congress added a new provision requiring every state to create or designate a State Advisory Council to better coordinate early education and care services. Pre-K Now has two new resources designed to help policymakers and advocates navigate the process of setting up Councils and seize the opportunities offered by them.
State Advisory Councils brief (PDF)
Council planning template (PDF)
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
How Do States
Pay for Pre-K?
To help policymakers and advocates answer that question, Pre-K Now offers "Funding the Future," a report examining the range of pre-k funding options.
learn about the answers
Find High-Quality Pre-K
With Our Checklist
Quality is key to unlocking pre-k's many benefits. Learn what to ask about and look for when choosing a pre-k program for your child.
get our Pre-K Checklist
Tour a Pre-K Classroom
Through our virtual classroom tour and our short video following real children through their pre-k year, we will help you recognize high quality, understand why it makes a difference, and show you how children benefit.
take the tour
watch our video
We've underestimated young children for too long. If we want better students, we must begin by strengthening pre-k.