Political Quotes

“I rise today to introduce the Providing Resources Early for Kids Act of 2013--the PRE-K Act. Research shows that quality early education is foundational for success in school and in life. The PRE-K Act will help more children enter school ready to succeed. It creates a new federal-state partnership to provide better preschool opportunities for our country's children. High quality preschool makes the biggest difference, so this bill focuses on quality. The PRE-K Act would provide Federal grants to States to strengthen quality. States could use the funding to increase the number of highly trained early educators in preschool classrooms. The bill would improve the student-to-teacher ratios in preschools; provide vital comprehensive services such as health screenings and nutritional assistance. The bill would increase the hours per day and weeks per year families have access to high quality early education programs; and improve programs for our youngest children, from birth to three years old. States would need to coordinate with existing Head Start providers and their State Advisory Councils. The PRE-K Act recognizes that not all states have a high-quality state preschool program in place yet. This bill meets states where they are. States that already have a high-quality program could apply as ``Qualified States'' and get money improve quality and expand to serve more children.…”