We Can't Wait: Nine States Awarded Race To The Top-Early Learning Challenge Grants
Awards Will Help Build Statewide Systems of High Quality Early Education Programs
Today, the White House announced that nine states - California, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington - will receive grant awards from the $500 million Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge fund, a competitive grant program jointly administered by the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.
President Obama asked Congress in his budget to authorize and make permanent an Early Learning Challenge Fund in previous years. Unfortunately, Congress did not act on that proposal, so the Administration took action to ensure this program was funded this year through Race to the Top, because our kids only get one shot at a top-notch education and they cannot afford to wait.
“Education must be our national mission,” said President Barack Obama. “All of us must work to give all our children the best education possible. And today, we're acting to strengthen early childhood education to better
