Race To The Top Is On For Tots, Thanks to Hirono
The federal Race to the Top grant competition has expanded to encourage pre-kindergarten initiatives, thanks in large part to Hawaii Congresswoman Mazie Hirono‘s leadership.
President Obama’s administration that it would use its Race to the Top competition to invest $500 million in early childhood education programs nationwide.
The decision came after Hirono spearheaded a 43-signature letter from Congress requesting federal incentives to improve preschool education across the country. The congresswoman, meanwhile, has announced she is running for the seat that Sen. Dan Akaka will soon vacate.
indicate that formal education of toddlers can dramatically increase their chances at success in school and later in life.
Early childhood education was a big portion of Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie‘s education platform during last year’s campaign, but it fell by the wayside amid the state’s budget crisis in the legislative session this spring. This could be the motivation Hawaii needs to begin tackling the issue.
