National Commitment to Early Childhood Education

Last week the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Early Childhood Educators shared this item.

Yesterday it became even clearer that early childhood education will continue to be a top priority of the new administration. Arne Duncan, President-elect Barack Obama’s pick for Education secretary, promised a new emphasis on early childhood education and focus on teacher quality at his confirmation hearing Tuesday before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. In his testimony, Duncan explained, "First, we must invest in early childhood education. Too many children show up for kindergarten already behind. Many never catch up. The President-elect's 'Zero-to-Five' proposal calls for greater supports for working parents with young children, early-learning challenge grants to states, voluntary universal pre-school quality enhancements, and more resources to build on the successes of Head Start and Early Head Start."To read more about Arne Duncan, his accomplishments in education, and a full listing of Obama’s plan for early childhood education, please visit http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/27qvF_p1OcDY/. (1/14/09)