Senators Float Grant Program To Boost Early Learning

By Erik W. Robelen

Washington

Senate education leaders rolled out legislation last week that would provide a new, $1 billion grant program to improve early-learning efforts nationwide.

The bipartisan announcement came nearly two months after President Bush outlined a series of steps—some requiring legislation, some not—to improve early-childhood education.

"Our goal is for every child in America to start school ready to learn," Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said at a May 23 press conference held to unveil the proposal. "This bill helps to close the gap between what we know our children need and what we...