QUALITY EARLY LEARNING

HOW TO USE THIS PRESENTATION DECK  This slide deck has been created by the U.S. Department of Education as a resource tool for the public and is part of a larger “bookshelf” of resources that may be found on the Department’s website.  Within the larger bookshelf, you will find individual resource “booklets” like this one, on topics ranging from early learning to higher education.  Together, these booklets provide facts and data on: – Progress in education reform – The challenges ahead – The U.S. Department of Education’s initiatives in these areas  Please view the notes section on each slide for additional information and resources.  The entire deck is in the public domain, and may be used and shared freely. 2

HIGH-QUALITY PRESCHOOL:  Increased high school graduation rates  Less likelihood of grade retention or being placed in special education  Higher employment rates  Less likelihood of being involved in crime or relying on public assistance  Better jobs at higher salaries 3 THE IMPACT

HIGH-QUALITY PRESCHOOL: 4 THE UNITED STATES RANKS 25 TH IN PUBLIC FUNDING FOR EARLY LEARNING

HIGH-QUALITY PRESCHOOL: THE UNITED STATES RANKS 25 TH IN THE WORLD IN ENROLLMENT

6 20 STATES WIN RACE TO THE TOP EARLY LEARNING CHALLENGE CREATING CONDITIONS FOR CHANGE State Receiving Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant

HIGH-QUALITY PRESCHOOL:  Funds through this bipartisan legislation have provided a down payment on the President's vision to expand early childhood education.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services received support for Early Head Start programs that partner with local child care providers to serve more low-income infants and toddlers in high-quality programs.  In addition, new funding was provided for Preschool Development Grants—jointly administered by the Departments of Health and Human Services and Education—to help states develop, enhance, or expand access to high-quality preschool programs for children from low- and moderate-income families. THE CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF

HIGH-QUALITY PRESCHOOL:  Preschool Development Grants will support states to build, develop, and expand voluntary, high-quality preschool programs for children from low- and moderate-income families.  There are two types of grants: – Development: for states with small or no state- funded preschool programs – Expansion: for states with larger state-funded preschool programs and/or a Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge grant THE PRESCHOOL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS 8

HIGH-QUALITY PRESCHOOL: SNAPSHOT FROM THE FIELD

In November 2013, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined members of Congress, business and military leaders, law enforcement officials, educators, and parents to voice support for a landmark federal early learning bill. The Strong Start for America’s Children Act, if signed into law, will accelerate the progress that states already are making to implement high-quality preschool programs and ensure that these programs are accessible to children who need them the most.

CRADLE TO COLLEGE AND CAREER Please see the additional slide deck “booklets” in this 13-part presentation for more information about needs and efforts in these areas:  Improving Education for all Students  K-12 Education  Teachers & Leaders  STEM Education  Turnaround Schools  Safe Schools  Standards & Assessments  Technology & Data  College Affordability & Completion  Ladders of Opportunity 11 IMPROVING EDUCATION ACROSS THE SPECTRUM