Intergenerational advocacy for early education is about speaking up, drawing a community’s attention to this important issue, and directing decision makers towards viable solutions. To increase the availability of quality early care and education for more young children, Seniors4Kids wants policymakers to exercise leadership at the state and federal levels.
Quality Early Care and Education Expansion in States
Even in a difficult economic climate, governors and state legislatures are embracing research that shows quality early care and education is as important to children's learning as kindergarten or first grade. Investments in quality early care and education benefit all generations, provide substantial short-term returns to citizens, and build a more competitive future workforce.
In tough budget times, states should continue to invest in programs that increase productivity, attract business, and help families. To build the future workforce that ultimately puts them on the path for growth, states must continue to recognize early education as a priority.
Read Seniors4Kids’s signature reports for brief histories of legislative efforts to increase access to quality early care and education in Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Our state pages also contain valuable information for how 50+ adults can protect and expand quality early care and education today.
Federal Support for Quality Early Care and Education
Currently, states and school districts can use funds provided through Title I of the current Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as well as other federal resources designated for special populations such as the Child Care Development Block Grant, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. No dedicated federal funding specifically supports quality early care and education or provides incentives to states to expand services beyond these targeted groups
Quality early care and education is the first step to education reform. All children need to enter elementary school prepared for success. The best strategy for expanding access to high-quality early learning is to include a dedicated funding stream within broader school reform efforts, to support and provide incentive for greater state investment in quality early care and education.
The upcoming reauthorization of the nation's main education law, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), represents a unique opportunity for reform to integrate early learning into our national system of education. Quality early care and education provides a proven foundation that improves academic achievement, multiplying the effects of other reforms.
For More Information
Generations United’s Seniors4Kids endorsed specific recommendations on how to include early education in school reform efforts. Visit our Take Action Center to learn more about how you can help our efforts to put quality early care and education in ESEA.