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Access to high-quality preschool for all 4-year-olds in low-income families is being considerered as an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act funding bill. Take action now »

Dear Friend,

Decades of research proves that children who attend high-quality preschool are less likely to be held back in school, require remedial education, engage in criminal activity, or become dependent on public assistance later in life. And they are more likely to graduate from high school and earn more as adults. Despite these benefits, millions of children from low-income families lack access to high-quality preschool.

We are excited to report that high-quality, full-day preschool for all low-income 4-year-olds was just offered by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) in an amendment to the education funding bill. The Senate is debating this legislation this week, so we need to take action immediately. There are a couple of ways to take action.

Call your senators

1. Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to one of your state’s senators.

2. Once you’re connected, please identify yourself as a constituent.

3. Tell your senator’s staff that you would like the senator to vote YES on the Strong Start for America’s Children Amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. You can use this script as a guide:

·       “My name is ____________. I’m a constituent and I’m asking my senator to vote YES on the Strong Start for America’s Children Amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
·       Millions of children from low-income families lack access to high-quality preschool.
·       High-quality preschool gives all children the opportunity to learn and build skills from an early age so they can start kindergarten at a level playing field with their peers.
·       The Strong Start for America’s Children Amendment awknowledges decades of research proving the benefits of high-quality preschool by providing access to all low-income 4-year-olds.
·       This issue is important to me. Would you please ask the senator to vote YES on the Strong Start for America’s Children Amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act?
·       Thank you.”
4. Hang up and call your other senator.

Write to your senators

Use our easy online tool to send an email to your senators asking them to vote YES on the Strong Start for America’s Children Amendment.


Breaking News: Preschool for all 4-year-olds on the table. Take action now to contact your Senators! http://bit.ly/1CrS9li @First_Focus

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Want to learn more? First Focus is a bipartisan advocacy organization dedicated to making children and families the priority in federal policy and budget decisions. Read more about our work on education.

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