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Early Learning Challenge Grants

On July 15th, Representative George Miller (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, introduced a new early learning challenge grant proposal. The measure challenges states to compete for results-oriented standards reform, to ensure that more disadvantaged children enter kindergarten ready for success. The Early Learning Challenge Fund offers $1 billion a year for 8 years ($8 billion in total) to challenge the states to strengthen their early learning systems. The House Education & Labor Committee approved the legislation on July 21 by a vote of 30-17. The full House of Representatives debated the bill on September 16th and 17th and the bill was approved by a vote of 253-171. To see how your Member in the House voted, Click here.

Action by the House of Representatives on Early Learning Grants

• Link to Information about H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (the legislation that contains the title on Early Learning) as passed by the House of Representatives on September 17
• Link to Information specifically about the Early Learning Challenge Grants title as contained in H.R. 3221 as passed by the House of Representatives on September 17.
• Link to the House Education & Labor Committee’s report on the bill (House Report 111-232) upon Committee passage (to read about Early Learning Challenge Grants, there are two sections of the bill- Title IV Early Learning Legislative Text begins on page 37; Title IV Early Learning Committee explanation of the concept behind what they were thinking and the reasons for it, begins on page 82).
• NACCRRA’s Letter (1.3 MB) of Support for Chairman Miller’s Early Learning Bill
• Child Care Resource & Referral Letter (6.3 MB) of Support for Chairman Miller’s Early Learning Bill
• Summary of Chairman Miller's Early Learning Challenge Fund Legislation (45 KB)
• Summary of Modifications included in the Chairman's Mark (July 21, 2009) (26 KB)
• Chairman's Mark Legislative Language Considered on July 21, 2009 (1.1 MB)
• Summary of amendments adopted to the Early Learning Challenge Fund title (July 21, 2009) (25 KB)
• House Education & Labor Committee website
• House Education & Labor Committee Members (20 KB)

Obama Administration Statements and Positions

• President Obama's remarks before the NAACP in support of strengthening early learning programs in states & Department of Education Fact Sheet (Link)
• President Obama's press release (July 15) in support of Rep. George Miller's Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, including support for the Early Learning Challenge Grant Fund title. (Link)
• HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Education Secretary Arne Duncan Announce Support for Investment in Early Childhood Learning (Link)

NACCRRA Action and Background

• New! Dr. Ruth Friedman, Staff to House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller, conference call with the early childhood advocacy community (37 B)
• NACCRRA's July 20 letter of support for House Education & Labor Committee Chairman George Miller's Early Learning Challenge Grant bill (1.3 MB)
• CCR&Rs Support Letter for House Education & Labor Committee markup, July 20 (35 KB)
• July 16 NACCRRA member conference call powerpoint (432 KB)