Pre-K Legislative Committee
The Pre-K Legislative Committee is comprised of school board members who advocate to expand access and improve the quality of voluntary pre-k programs through federal action. Members serve as a resource to their members of Congress and their community.
Why is Pre-K so Important to Your School District?
- Multiple studies have shown that quality pre-k programs help children develop the cognitive and social skills that are essential building blocks for their future success.
- Quality preschool can help to close the achievement gap between low-income children and their more affluent peers -- a main goal of No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
- Quality preschool pays dividends for years to come, with returns of between $2 and $16 for each dollar invested, studies have shown.
Why is Federal Action Necessary?
- The U.S. Department of Education currently spends less than 1% of its total budget on preschool education.
- Access to publicly funded pre-k programs is uneven; 11 states do not offer any publicly funded pre-k.
- Compared to other developed countries, the U.S. invests fewer resources in preschool programs.
For more pre-k resources, please visit the Center for Public Education and the Early Education section of NSBA's website.
For more information on the Pre-K Legislative Committee, please contact Kathleen Branch at kbranch@nsba.org.