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.
Additional Resources
NSBA Issue Brief: Investing in Early Childhood Education
Learn more about NSBA's position on early childhood education.
NSBA Comments on Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) program
Key revisions to RTT-ELC program
Pre-K Legislative Committee Newsletter
November 2010
NSBA Recommendations to Secretary Duncan: January 25, 2010
Re: Early Learning and Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
NSBA Analysis of the LEARN Act
This chart analyzes the birth-through-kindergarten entry provisions of both the House and Senate bills.
Pre-K Collaboration: Building Effective Partnerships Part II
Webinar on "Pre-K Collaboration: Building Effective Partnerships - Part II" on 11-19-09
Pre-K Collaboration: Building Effective Partnerships Part I
Webinar on “Pre-K Collaboration: Building Effective Partnerships - Part I” on 10-29-2009
NSBA's Issue Brief on Investing in Early Childhood Education
Learn about NSBA's position on the importance of early education in public schools.
Analysis of H.R. 3221
The "Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009" would provide funds for early learning programs.
Letter to the House of Representatives: September 15, 2009
Re: Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 - H.R. 3221
Letter to the House Committee on Education & Labor: July 20, 2009
Re: Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 - H.R. 3221
Planning for Pre-Kindergarten Webinar
Webinar April 28. 2009: Planning for Prekindergarten – A Toolkit for School Board Members.
Pre-K Legislation: 111th Congress
Details on selected pre-k bills introduced in the current Congress as of May 2009.
H.R. 702 Pre-K Act
Introduced by Rep. Mazie Hirono in the 111th Congress.
Pre-K Legislative Committee Webinar Survey Results: June 19, 2008
NSBA's Letter to Representative Mazie Hirono: May 12, 2008
Re: Providing Resources Early for Kids Act of 2007 (H.R. 3289)
Pre-K Legislative Committee Webinar: April 22, 2008
Download a copy of the webinar presentation, "Pre-K Messaging: Positives and Pitfalls."
Pre-K Legislative Committee FRN Presentation: February 3, 2008
Update on NSBA's legislative committee for grassroots members with an interest in advocacy for voluntary pre-k issues.
Pre-K Legislative Committee Webinar: December 4, 2007
Download the first webinar presentation of the Pre-K Legislative Committee.
NSBA's Pre-K Committee Welcome Call Notes
Read the notes from the first conference call of NSBA's Pre-K Legislative Committee. Learn about committee member responsibilities and what has been happening legislatively in Washington, DC.
Pre-K Legislation Side-By-Side Comparison: October 2007
A side-by-side comparison of selected pre-k bills introduced in the 110th Congress.
Center for Public Education Brochure: Many Happy Returns
A brochure that gives an overview of the research, characteristics of effective programs, and examples of successful pre-k initiatives.
NSBA Policy Research Brief: Expanding Voluntary Preschool Education
Learn about efforts to prepare our children for school, what research tells us, and how the federal government can assist school districts in implementing effective programs
Center for Public Education
For more pre-k information and resources, visit the Center for Public Education.