Pre-K Now works with members of Congress and the executive branch to strengthen the national commitment to expand and improve the education of our youngest students. In this section, you can learn about our vision for a federal role in pre-k education and our positions on key legislation and issues pending before federal policy makers.

See our chart of all pre-k related legislation for the 112th Congress

This session of Congress provides a unique opportunity for national policy makers to make a commitment to high-quality pre-k – a vital part of a strategy to build America’s human capital and prepare the next generation of students to compete in the global economy. Forty states across the nation have embraced the need for voluntary, state-funded pre-k, but there are still major hurdles for all children to have ready access to quality pre-kindergarten:

Of the 40 states that sponsor some form of pre-k, only three meet all ten benchmarks of quality established by the National Institute for Early Education Research .

The recession has taken its toll on state budgets, yet overall, the amount of state support for pre-k increased in FY11. States vary in pre-k support and availability. In Oklahoma, a leading state in terms of pre-k access, more than 70 percent of four year olds are enrolled in state-funded programs. In other states like Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Missouri and Arizona, fewer than five percent of four year olds are served. Ten states, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, have yet to establish any publically funded pre-k programs.

Per pupil funding is too low for many states to improve the overall quality of pre-k programs and there is a growing funding disparity between states. In a few states, total per pupil spending (local, state and federal dollars) reaches over $18,000; in others, it is lower than $3,000. At a time when states are facing large budget deficits, a strong federal commitment can help them to invest in what works while building capacity to prepare all children for success in school and life.

Congress and the executive branch can ensure the long-term economic health of our nation by investing in programs that provide a demonstrated return on investment. Without a federal commitment tied to quality programs, children in underserved areas will continue to fall behind those who are able to benefit from early education opportunities. To improve pre-k access and quality for young children, Congress can:

• Amend major education laws to include pre-k for three and four year olds as an integral part of federal support for public education; and
• Advance the notion that education reform for the 21st century must be based on a commitment to an integrated system that addresses the needs of students at every level – starting with pre-k and extending through college.

Working together, the 112th Congress and the Obama Administration have an unprecedented opportunity to advance high-quality pre-k for all our children. Pre-K Now recommends action in the following areas:

• Elementary and Secondary Education Act or ESEA (also known as No Child Left Behind)
• Military and Rural Needs
• Head Start
• Child Care and Development Block Grant