[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 34 (Monday, March 11, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1595-S1596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Mr. Begich, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Durbin, 
        Mr. Franken, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, Mr. 
        Lautenberg, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Schumer, and Mr. 
        Wyden):
  S. 519. A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 to improve early education; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Providing 
Resources Early for Kids Act of 2013--the PRE-K Act.
  Research shows that quality early education is foundational for 
success in school and in life.
  The PRE-K Act will help more children enter school ready to succeed. 
It creates a new federal-state partnership to provide better preschool 
opportunities for our country's children. High quality preschool makes 
the biggest difference, so this bill focuses on quality.
  The PRE-K Act would provide Federal grants to States to strengthen 
quality. States could use the funding to increase the number of highly 
trained early educators in preschool classrooms.
  The bill would improve the student-to-teacher ratios in preschools; 
provide vital comprehensive services such as health screenings and 
nutritional assistance.
  The bill would increase the hours per day and weeks per year families 
have access to high quality early education programs; and improve 
programs for our youngest children, from birth to three years old.
  States would need to coordinate with existing Head Start providers 
and their State Advisory Councils.
  The PRE-K Act recognizes that not all states have a high-quality 
state preschool program in place yet. This bill meets states where they 
are. States that already have a high-quality program could apply as 
``Qualified States'' and get money improve quality and expand to serve 
more children. Other States, like Hawaii, could apply as ``Selected 
States,'' earning Federal grants to establish a high-quality preschool 
program within two years.
  In Hawaii, Governor Abercrombie is leading the fight to build a State 
preschool program for low-income families. The PRE-K Act could support 
Hawaii's efforts through Federal partnership grants.
  Decades of research show that high quality early education programs 
can help kids enter kindergarten ready to learn and avoid falling 
behind. Later in life, kids who have high-quality preschool are more 
likely to avoid crime or teen pregnancy, graduate high school and 
college, earn more income, pay taxes, and need fewer public services.
  The studies have found that investing $1 in quality early learning 
can bring a return on investment of between $2 and $17 down the line. A 
University of Hawaii/Good Beginnings Alliance study of a theoretical 
Hawaii program found we'd get $4.20 for every $1 invested. In this 
tight fiscal environment, wise Federal spending is key. High quality 
early learning is one of the best investments we can make.
  That is why business and financial leaders, from the Hawaii Business 
Roundtable to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, agree that quality 
early education is critically important in providing the tools children 
need for success in school and in adulthood.
  Law enforcement officials know that quality early learning helps 
prevent kids from falling behind, dropping out of high school, or 
getting involved in crime. High-ranking military leaders have also 
stressed the importance of quality early education as a national 
security issue. Today 75 percent of Americans age 17 to 24 are 
ineligible for military service due to poor education, physical un-
fitness, or involvement with crime. Quality early learning helps kids 
get on the right path--before they fall behind.
  Parents know the high cost of child care is difficult to afford. If 
parents can't find child care, they can't go to work. Parents also want 
more than just supervision for their children. They want to know their 
children are being engaged by effective teachers who are preparing them 
academically, socially, and emotionally for success in school.
  Teachers and school administrators know firsthand that their students 
who come to kindergarten with quality preschool are more likely to 
succeed. Special education professionals and advocates for students 
with disabilities know that quality early learning can identify 
disabilities early and bring intervention to get kids on track with 
their peers.
  Education is the great equalizer, and starting children on an early 
path to success is critical. I have been working to strengthen quality 
early education for over a decade. As Lieutenant Governor, I helped 
establish Hawaii's Pre-Plus program, which constructed preschool 
classrooms for use by nonprofit, private, or public preschools. In the 
U.S. House of Representatives, I first introduced the PRE-K Act in 
2007. The

[[Page S1596]]

bill passed through the House Education and Labor Committee with a 
bipartisan vote. President Obama has made quality early learning a key 
part of his education platform. I helped lead a coalition of over 100 
bipartisan House members to enact and fund President Obama's Early 
Learning Challenge. We also fought for increases in Head Start and 
Child Care subsidies to serve more children and families.
  In his 2013 State of the Union address, President Obama called for 
new Federal support for high-quality state preschool. This is the first 
time in a generation that a president has used the State of the Union 
address to call for expanding preschool access. The PRE-K Act answers 
this call.
  The time is right. I look forward to working with my colleagues in 
the House and Senate to move this forward.
                                 ______