[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 1 (Thursday, January 4, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S141-S142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER:
  S. 152. A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 to establish a program to help States expand the educational 
system to include at least 1 year of early education preceding the year 
a child enters kindergarten; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions.

[[Page S142]]

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I rise to reintroduce the Early 
Education Act. This bill will enable children across our nation to be 
prepared with the initial skills and abilities to successfully begin 
their education.
  I strongly believe that there should be a national commitment to 
establish that all children have access to high quality prekindergarten 
programs. This bill is a step forward in making that possible.
  Of the nearly 8 million and 3- and 4-year-olds that could be in early 
education, fewer than half are enrolled in an early education program. 
In my State of California alone, just 65 percent of 4-year-olds are in 
preschool.
  The result is that too many children come to school ill-prepared to 
learn. They lack language and social skills. Almost all experts now 
agree that an early education experience is one of the most effective 
strategies for improving later school performance.
  Researchers have discovered that children have a learning capacity 
that can and should be developed at a much earlier age than was 
previously thought. The National Research Council reported that 
prekindergarten educational opportunities are critical in developing 
early language and literacy skills and preventing reading difficulties 
in young children.
  Furthermore, studies have shown that children who participate in 
prekindergarten programs are less likely to be held back a grade, show 
greater learning retention and initiative, have better social skills, 
are more enthusiastic about school, and are more likely to have good 
attendance records.
  In fact, prekindergarten programs pay for themselves in long-term 
benefits. It is estimated that for every dollar invested in early 
education, about $7 are saved in later costs.
  My bill, the Early Education Act, would create a program in at least 
10 States to provide one year of prekindergarten early education in the 
public schools. There is a 50 percent matching requilement, and the 
$300 million authorized annually under this bill would be used by 
States to supplement--not supplant--other Federal, State or local 
funds. This bill would serve approximately 136,000 children.
  Our children need a solid foundation that builds on current education 
system by providing them with early learning skills. I urge my 
colleagues to support this legislation.
                                 ______