Early Learning Challenge Fund (Title IV of Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009)
The U.S. House of Representative on Sept. 17 passed the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 (SAFRA, or HR 3221). Included in this legislation is the Early Learning Challenge Fund, a proposal to increase the number of low-income children in high-quality early education settings. The legislation invests $1 billion a year for eight years in competitive grants to challenge states to work toward comprehensive, high quality early education systems for children from birth to age 5. States can use these funds to improve quality across early childhood settings through various approaches. States will be challenged to create early education systems that include the following:
- Early learning standards reform
- Evidence-based program quality standards
- Enhanced program review and monitoring of program quality
- Comprehensive professional development
- Coordinated system for facilitating screenings for disability, health, and mental health needs
- Improved support to parents
- Process for assessing children's school readiness
- Use of data to improve child outcomes
A summary of the Early Learning Challenge Fund and the full text of the SAFRA are available on the House Committee on Education and Labor website.
The Senate is expected to take action this fall.
Resources & Publications
JAN 11, 2010 | DANIELLE EWEN
Early Learning Challenge Fund: Metrics and Data
This presentation provides an overview of the data-based metrics included in the House Early Learning Challenge Fund legislation (Title IV of HR 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009). DOWNLOAD PDF
Jul 20, 2009 | Child Care and Early Education
Early Learning Challenge Fund Legislation Call
In this audio conference, Dr. Ruth Friedman, Senior Education Policy Advisor, House Committee on Education and Labor, provides an overview of the Early Learning Challenge Fund and answers questions about the legislation. DOWNLOAD AUDIO READ TRANSCRIPT
Jul 20, 2009 | Danielle Ewen
Letter to House Committee on Education and Labor on Early Learning Challenge Fund
CLASP wrote a letter of support for the proposed Early Learning Challenge Fund to Chairman Miller. The proposal creates the opportunity for states to make significant investments in the quality of early childhood programs serving disadvantaged children and their families. DOWNLOAD PDF