
Governor Patrick at yesterday's State House event (Photo: Eric Haynes/Governor's Office)
“The more we get together, the happier we’ll be.” The familiar children’s song, performed by preschoolers from Boston’s Ellis Memorial & Eldredge House, set the tone for yesterday’s event at the Massachusetts State House celebrating the federal Early Learning Challenge grant of $50 million over four years that the commonwealth was awarded last month.
From Governor Deval Patrick to Early Education and Care Commissioner Sherri Killins, speakers emphasized the collaboration that led to the successful application and the collaboration required not only to implement the grant but also to continue state efforts to build a system of high-quality early education and care. More than 150 legislators, state education leaders, early educators and early childhood advocates attended yesterday’s celebration, which was sponsored by Early Education for All, a campaign of Strategies for Children.
The federal grant is designed to supplement, not supplant, state spending on early education. In her opening remarks, EEA Campaign Director Amy O’Leary challenged policymakers to build on the momentum created by the Early Learning Challenge to increase state investments in early education. “The Early Learning Challenge grant and an improving economy provide an opportunity for Massachusetts to truly lead the nation,” O’Leary said. “We must invest more in all children, but particularly our youngest learners.”
Reporters later asked Patrick if he would recommend increased funding for early education in the fiscal year 2013 budget recommendation he will send to the Legislature next week. Continue Reading »