Kaine Introduces Legislation To Expand Quality Preschool Programs

Press Release

This week, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine introduced the Strong Start for America's Children Act, legislation that would expand quality preschool programs. The Strong Start for America's Children Act is a 10-year innovative federal-state partnership to expand and improve early learning opportunities for children from birth to age five.

"Quality preschool programs benefit students and the nation as a whole," said Kaine. "By expanding access to early childhood education, we can prepare more students for a lifetime of learning, ensure that children enter the classroom ready to learn and reduce the achievement gap."

Kaine introduced an earlier version of the Strong Start for America's Children Act in the previous Congress. Earlier this year, he introduced the Providing Resources Early for Kids (PRE-K) Act to help states develop their own early childhood education programs. As Governor of Virginia, Kaine worked to strengthen Pre-K programs across Virginia and increased enrollment by 40 percent.

Joining Kaine in introducing the Strong Start for America's Children Act are Senators Patty Murray, Bob Casey, Mazie Hirono, Al Franken, Ed Markey, Brian Schatz, Tom Udall, Barbara Mikulski, Chris Murphy, Dick Durbin, Chris Coons, Martin Heinrich, Sheldon Whitehouse, Tammy Baldwin, Maria Cantwell, Kirsten Gillibrand, Ron Wyden, Cory Booker and Elizabeth Warren.

Congressmen Bobby Scott and Richard Hanna have introduced companion legislation to the Strong Start for America's Children Act in the House.

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