“This grant will help more California child care is good and getting a good start on learning, we do know is the key to their success, in school, and so on,” said Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, in a news release. “I’m proud of teamwork that led to this victory for California, and I am grateful to President (Barack) Obama to recognize the potential of regional partnership to improve child care program in our country.”
California beat 26 other States, plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico, in a competitive bid for a share of $ 500 million in race to the top–the early learning challenge grants. Another winner was the Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington.
In California, the money will fund the quality Rating and improvement system that is being developed in 15 counties, including Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Francisco and Santa Cruz, said Sean Casey, Executive Director of the first five Contra Costa.
“In this case is, I think, the real evidence of what we have done here in the Contra Costa” Casey said on Friday. “We’ve been able to jump-start what I thought to be the State and national movement. It really is a recognition that really investing in early childhood education is as important as social investment, such as social security during senior year. “
California Democratic Congressional delegation promoted the application of the country, says the U.s. Department of Education grant will be expected to help 1.8 million children, including 60 percent of the United Kingdom language learners.