Murray, Scott Push for Ambitious Pre-K Plans in ESSA Implementation

Press Release

Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), ranking member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, voiced their support for "ambitious actions and comprehensive coordination" to fulfill the promise of the preschool program in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA marks the first time that the nation's primary elementary and secondary education law includes dedicated funding for early learning.

The law authorizes Preschool Development Grants (PDG), which will be jointly administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Education. In a letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell and Secretary of Education Dr. John King, Murray and Scott asked the agencies to support states with ambitious plans to improve quality and access, work jointly and collaboratively, and ensure an orderly and fair transition for states that currently receive PDG.

"Fulfilling the promise of the ESSA PDG program will take ambitious actions and comprehensive coordination between the two agencies," the lawmakers wrote. "We intend for the agencies to work together, and jointly with us, in order to faithfully implement the law. We look forward to working with you to ensure that the PDG programs are effective and create real, positive change for children and families across the country."

In December of 2015, Murray and Scott led efforts to pass ESSA to reauthorize the nation's primary elementary and secondary education law and fix No Child Left Behind, along with Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Congressman John Kline (R-MN).

Source