Introduction of the Prepare All Kids Act of 2011

Floor Speech

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, the value of investing in early education is clear: Early education lays the foundation for lifelong learning and prepares children to succeed academically and in life. Studies show that children who attend high-quality preschool are more successful in school, more likely to graduate from high school, and thus more likely to become productive adults who contribute to the U.S. economy.

That is why today I am pleased to reintroduce the Prepare All Kids Act, which would assist states in providing at least one year of high-quality pre-kindergarten to children, with a focus on children from low-income families and children with special needs. This legislation ensures a high-quality learning environment by limiting classroom size to a maximum of 20 children and children-to-teacher ratios to no more than 10 to 1.

Introduced in the Senate by my colleague on the Joint Economic Committee, Sen. Casey of Pennsylvania, I am happy to be introducing this House companion bill.

I urge my colleagues to support the Prepare All Kids Act and further invest in our nation's great resource--our children.

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