Walz to Vote for Imprived Early Childhood Education

WALZ TO VOTE FOR IMPROVED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Later today, Representative Tim Walz will vote to support H.R. 1429, the Improving Head Start Act of 2007. This bill's vital early childhood education provisions will serve a wide range of families.

"Early childhood education is the key to assuring that all of our children arrive in kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed," Walz stated. "By increasing accountability and coordination with state and local programs, this legislation will continue to improve vital classroom services for 18 million low-income children."

"Research shows that for every dollar we invest in a child before he or she reaches kindergarten, we receive seven to ten dollars back over the life of that child in the form of less social services, less criminal justice expenses and higher tax revenues. Head Start is an outstanding investment, and I strongly believe that we must continue to expand and improve the program to ensure that all children receive pre-K education," concluded Walz.

The Improving Head Start Act of 2007 will provide 10,000 more children with access to Head Start services and:

Increase funding for teacher and staff salaries and professional development.

Make critical improvements to Head Start programs to ensure children are ready for school.

Improve coordination between Head Start and state and local child care health and family services programs to increase full-day and full-year services.

Increase accountability by devising a new system to review Head Start centers.

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