04.09.12

Miller Statement on Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge

 

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the Education and the Workforce Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services announced today that $133 million from the Race to the Top fund will be available for continued investments in state-level, comprehensive early education reform. 

Administered jointly by the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services, the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge rewards states that create comprehensive plans to transform early learning systems with better coordination, clearer learning standards, and meaningful workforce development.

“I applaud Secretaries Duncan and Sebelius for their continued commitment to improving the quality of early learning opportunities for young children across the country.  To win the future, our children need a strong start. This competition brings new ideas and new opportunities to our nation's youngest learners. It’s a bold and strategic investment with long-term benefits for America’s future, strengthening our global competitiveness and improving the economic prospects of the next generation.”

Miller has been a longtime advocate for high quality early learning opportunities.  In 2009, he authored legislation to create the Early Learning Challenge Fund to dramatically improve the quality of early learning opportunities across the country. To learn more, click here.