New Legislative Effort Would Give More Children Vital Early Learning Opportunities
Washington DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he has cosponsored legislation, the Strong Start for America’s Children Act, which expands access to pre-k and early learning opportunities to children across the country. The legislation, which was introduced by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), would increase opportunities for successful programs like Early Head Start and ensure that young children are taught by highly qualified teachers.
“If children learn more earlier in their lives they will earn more later,” Senator Casey said. “Helping children access early learning programs will set them on a path for success and lay down a strong foundation for long term economic growth in our nation.”
Research has shown that children who attend high?quality preschool programs are less likely to be held back in school, require remedial education, engage in criminal activity, or use social safety net programs later in life. They are also more likely to graduate from high school and have higher earnings as adults.
Read more about the Strong Start for America’s Children Act.
Original cosponsors of the Strong Start for America’s Children Act in the Senate: Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Al Franken (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chris Coons (D-DE), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
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