Early Years

As part of its effort to improve the quality of preschool education programs, the U.S. Department of Education is releasing $14.6 million in grants to help improve the knowledge and skills of early- childhood educators in communities with high concentrations of low-income families.

Teachers at nine sites across the country will participate in professional-development activities intended to improve young children's literacy skills and to prevent reading and behavior problems.

The grants are part of the Bush administration's "Good Start, Grow Smart" initiative, which was highlighted last year when first lady Laura Bush held a White House summit on the learning and development of young children from...