Early Learning Challenge Fund is dropped
(Mar. 22, 10) - Last week, The Early Learning Challenge Fund was eliminated from the Budget Reconciliation bill that included health care and student loan reform.
Unfortunately, the Early Learning Challenge Fund, an initiative that would have challenged states to create a new framework for our early childhood system, was dropped from a bill that would make major changes in the student loan system. This is a bitter disappointment to ece advocates who have been working on this bill since last summer. But this battle is not over. We’re not ready to give up and neither should you.
Despite the Challenge Fund loss, the voice of early education community is stronger and our relationships with the Administration, key Congressional legislators, and the media deeper than ever as a result of all of our work thus far.
Where do we go from here? We need to dust ourselves off and begin again. Tell Congress and the Administration that we need to find another way to enact the Early Learning Challenge Fund as well as the President's other early childhood priorities. This includes the $1.6 billion in the Administration’s budget for new investments in child care and the nearly $1 billion for increases in Head Start.
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said of early education in a press conference last week: “The president is absolutely committed on this issue, I’m absolutely committed, and we’re going to find another vehicle to help the early learning community.” Let’s be sure to hold him at his word.
Thank you for your hard work and investment in early childhood education. Please stay tuned for next steps.