Education Department pushing for office on early learning
Early learning is so important that it deserves its own office at the U.S. Department of Education; at least that is what some officials are saying. The Education Department has released a new proposal calling for an office dedicated solely to the issues and needs surrounding early education in the U.S., which would formally be called the Office of Early Learning.
“Effective early learning programs are essential to prepare our children for success in school and beyond,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a press release. “A dedicated early learning office will institutionalize, elevate and coordinate federal support for high-quality early learning, while enhancing support for state efforts to build high-performing early education systems.”
The office would be responsible for overseeing the administration of the Race To The Top Early Learning Challenge. The challenge, which began in May, is a competitive grant program for which states must apply to receive funds. The money will support comprehensive early education programs that local educators and school officials have crafted to help better prepare young children for kindergarten. So far, 35 states along with Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. have applied for the challenge. Grantees are expected to be announced in December.
The new office would also be tasked with crafting, rolling out and overseeing early learning programs that will be used throughout the Department of Education.
“Establishing an early learning office reinforces this administration’s unwavering effort and determination to address the essential needs of our youngest learners,” said Senior Advisor for Early Learning Jacqueline Jones, whose name has been listed in the proposal as a potential candidate to run the new office.
