4th District Congressman Jim Himes has introduced two piece of legislation today designed to expand access to and improve the quality of early education programs. The Total Learning Act provides assistance to community partnerships focused on implementing advanced early education curricula, modeled after the Total Learning program at utilized with great success by Action for Community Development in Bridgeport. The Supportnig Early Learning Act establishes two competitive grant programs to help states implement or improve early learning systems, particularly for children in low-income areas.

Himes says early childhood education is one of the smartest investments we can make. It leads to better academic, professional, and social outcomes for children while also improving our workforce and our communities.  He added that Connecticut has made strides in expanding access to early education for our children, but much of the rest of the nation lags behind.

Himes says these two bills build on the early education success seen in Southwest Connecticut and would complement the important work the President has done to advance early education and ensure that all children have the leg-up they need to succeed in school and contribute to our economy.