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Contact Don Owens at NAEYC
202-350-8857 / Mobile: 202-302-5928
Email: dowens@naeyc.org

For Immediate Release:
February 02, 2007

FY07 Spending Bill a Good First Step for Children

Joint Resolution Signals Children and Families to Reemerge as a Priority in 2008

(Washington, D.C.), February 02 – The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) today encouraged Members of Congress to adopt the resolution that finalizes Fiscal Year 2007 funding.

“We are pleased that Congress has taken this first, albeit modest step to provide improved funding for many of the vital national education programs that build a bridge between opportunity and life-long achievement,” said Mark R. Ginsberg, Ph.D., Executive Director of NAEYC.  “In completing the fiscal work of the previous Congress, with some increases in education and Head Start, we hope this signals a priority on children and families in next year’s budget.”

If the FY2007 appropriation bill passes, many programs like special education, Title I K-12 grants and school improvement funding will be raised.   Head Start funds would increase by $100 million dollars.

Yet, child care, Head Start and other early learning programs have suffered from budgetary neglect.  The 110th Congress is moving in the right direction to help more children in FY 2007.  Congress must continue to invest in its children and families for FY 2008.  The Child Care and Development Block Grant needs $720 million dollars and Head Start requires $910 million dollars just to keep pace with inflation and cuts since 2002.  Children benefit when they have high-quality early childhood education and schools staffed by well-qualified teachers.

“As Congress works towards 2008 it must commit to making the early learning, health, and support of young children a priority in the federal budget,” Ginsberg said. “We will work with the White House and members of Congress in developing the right program improvements and resources that ensure all children get the start in life they deserve."

The National Association for the Education of Young Children is the largest organization of early childhood educators and others dedicated to improving the quality of early education programs for children from birth through age eight.  Founded in 1926, NAEYC now has nearly 100,000 members and a national network of more than 300 local, state, and regional affiliates.  NAEYC and its affiliates work to improve professional practice and working conditions in early childhood education, and to build public support for high-quality early childhood programs.

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