EARLY LEARNING: Murray Introduces Strong Start for America's Children Act

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee 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.

"As a former preschool teacher, I've seen firsthand the transformation that early learning can inspire in a child," Senator Murray said. "Investing in our youngest learners is critical for children and their families, and it is one of the smartest investments we can make to ensure students start kindergarten ready to learn and succeed later in life. The Strong Start for America's Children Act would help more families and communities in Washington state and across the country gain access to early learning programs and provide their children with the strong educational opportunities that will pay dividends in our future economic growth."

Research has shown that children who attend high?quality preschool programs are less likely to be held back in school, require remedial education, engage in criminal activity, or use social safety net programs later in life. They are also more likely to graduate from high school and have higher earnings as adults. A recent report showed that Washington state ranks 33rd in the nation for access to state preschool among four-year-olds.

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