Excerpts from the press release:
The U.S. Department of Education announced today a proposal to create an Office of Early Learning, tasked with overseeing the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge Grants and coordinating early learning programs across the Department.
"Effective early learning programs are essential to prepare our children for success in school and beyond," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "A dedicated early learning office will institutionalize, elevate and coordinate federal support for high-quality early learning, while enhancing support for state efforts to build high-performing early education systems."
The proposal names Senior Advisor for Early Learning Jacqueline Jones as head of the new office, which will operate within the Department's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE). The announcement was made public today during Jones's remarks to early learning educators and advocates nationwide at the National Association for the Education of Young Children annual conference, held this year in Orlando, Fla.
"Establishing an early learning office reinforces this administration's unwavering effort and determination to address the essential needs of our youngest learners," said Jones.