Donnelly: Early Childhood Learning Critical for Each Child’s Long-Term Success

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate this afternoon on the importance of early childhood education and parent and family engagement in early childhood learning. Donnelly thanked his colleagues on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee for their assistance in getting his language promoting parent and family engagement programs included in the substitute amendment of the Every Child Achieves Act, S. 1177. This bill would reauthorize and reform the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in an effort to fix the flawed No Child Left Behind law.

Donnelly said, “Early childhood learning is critical to building a strong foundation for each child’s long-term success. It is linked to better outcomes in school, such as greater high school and college completion rates; higher wages; and better social and emotional skills…And there is no doubt that families play a critical role in achieving academic success. When families are involved in children’s learning at a young age, it better prepares them to succeed in school.

“…I am committed to working with partners in Indiana to ensure that Hoosier children can take advantage of these important programs, and I stand ready to continue working with my friends on both sides of the aisle to further invest in early childhood education so we can provide brighter futures for more Hoosiers and additional American children.”

To learn more about Donnelly’s parent and family engagement efforts, click here. Donnelly has long-supported pre-K initiatives and has strongly encouraged the State of Indiana to expand pre-K statewide with the use of federal funds. Last year, the state declined to apply for federal funds to expand pre-K to all Hoosier students despite being eligible for $80 million.

WATCH Donnelly’s speech on the Senate floor about the importance of early childhood education and parent and family engagement. Click here.