Across America, too few children begin kindergarten ready to learn; an unacceptable number of these students are low-income and minority. Recognizing the impact of high-quality early childhood education on school readiness and future academic success, the Center for American Progress Action Fund has promoted greater access to quality early learning opportunities for youngsters from birth to age five.
In August of 2005, the Center for American Progress released its education task force report “Getting Smarter, Becoming Fairer,” which called for universal, high-quality pre-kindergarten for all 3- and 4-year-olds beginning with the low-income and minority children who need it most. Almost two years later, the Center released “From Poverty to Prosperity,” the final report of its poverty task force. The report also called for high-quality preschool as well as the expansion of the child care tax credit and guaranteed child care assistance to low-income families.
As advocates, educators, policy leaders, and businessmen strive to create an education infrastructure that will prepare all students for the challenges and demands of the 21st century, the expansion of early childhood learning experiences must be included.
Please join us for an event with Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY) and Bob Casey (PA) as they present the highlights of their recently introduced pre-kindergarten bills. A Q&A session with the senators will follow, as will a panel session with experts from the field.