U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown and Kay Hagan Introduce NAEYC’s Recommendations for “Ready Schools” for All Children in the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act 

Washington, DC – The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation’s leading voice for high-quality early childhood education for children from birth through age 8, is delighted that Senators Brown (Ohio) and Hagan (North Carolina) have introduced the Ready Schools Act of 2011, based on recommendations in NAEYC’s “Call to Action” for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

‘“School readiness’ involves ready schools as well as children ready for kindergarten. This legislation, building on the National Education Goals Panel Report on Ready Schools, as well as work in Ohio, North Carolina, and other communities, will help elementary schools provide the conditions and collaborations that will support all children in sustaining the gains they make in preschool through the early grades,” said Dr. Jerlean Daniel, Executive Director of NAEYC.

Nearly 30 years ago the President and the nation’s governors announced national education goals, with the first goal being readiness of every child for school. The concept of readiness includes much more than children’s readiness. As defined by the National Education Goals Panel, the School Readiness Indicators Initiative, and others, readiness includes ready children, ready families, ready communities, ready early care and education, and ready schools. All are necessary for our nation’s children to experience success.

Under the Brown–Hagan bill, local educational agencies would help elementary schools undergo a “ready schools” needs review to support children’s success particularly in the early grades by examining conditions such as the use of developmentally appropriate curricula and teaching practices, support for teachers to enhance their knowledge of child development and learning, strong collaborations with families and community early childhood education providers, and professional development for school principals.

NAEYC looks forward to working with members of Congress as the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act moves through the legislative process.

For more information on NAEYC’s Call to Action, please go to http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/policy/federal/Call_Action_112(2).pdf.