Early Childhood Education

Floor Speech

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Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of continuing investments in early childhood education.

Yesterday marked the 50th anniversary launch of Head Start. Head Start programs give students an opportunity to start out strong and help to close the achievement gap that plagues many low-income communities.

As a mother, grandmother, and retired educator, I recognize that early education provides students with the resources they need in the most critical learning years. More than 27 percent of the people in my district live below the poverty line. Students in low-income families have obvious disadvantages that are exacerbated when they arrive in kindergarten less prepared than their peers.

More than 3,000 children in my district benefit from Head Start programs. These programs give many children the jump-start and the confidence they need. Research shows that children enrolled in high-quality education programs are more likely to graduate from high school, go to college, and secure high-paying jobs.

Mr. Speaker, an investment in early education is an investment in our future. I will continue fighting for early learning initiatives and commonsense education reform that prepare all of our students to succeed, and I call on my colleagues to do the same.

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