Miller Statement on New Head Start Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the Education and the Workforce Committee and original co-author of The Improving Head Start Act of 2007, today released the following statement after President Obama announced regulations that would require low quality Head Start centers to reapply and compete for their federal funding. The new rule stems directly from policy that Miller included in the legislation and will result in improved services for children in Head Start. The regulation will improve the review process and strip bad programs of their funding.
“I applaud President Obama and Secretary Sebelius for moving forward with a rule that will demand the best for all children in Head Start. This new policy supports our earliest learners and improves early learning opportunities for children. Economists, business leaders, and child development experts agree that smart investments in early education, like Head Start, are vital if we want to close the achievement gap and ensure our children are well prepared to thrive in school and in life.
“Our country will be stronger when more children have access to great early learning programs. President Obama’s announcement today will help working families who rely on Head Start as a place for their children to grow and thrive while also supporting jobs and the economy. It is smart, common-sense policy that will make a real difference for children and families.”
For more information about the original legislation and Miller’s commitment to early childhood learning, click here.
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