Early Learning Initiative
What's New
Led by Deputy Assistant Secretary on Policy and Early Learning Jacqueline Jones, the Office of Early Learning works collaboratively with various program offices to drive the Early Learning Initiative at the U.S. Department of Education.
Promoting Early Learning
President Obama is committed to providing the support that our youngest children need to succeed later in school. The importance of the early years in a child's life has been well documented. The Department of Education (ED) prioritizes improving the health, social, emotional, and educational outcomes for young children from birth through 3rd grade by:
- enhancing the quality of early learning programs, and
- increasing the access to high quality early learning programs especially for young children at risk for school failure.
ED's role in promoting early learning is significant and includes:
- administering several early learning programs;
- encouraging States and local districts to target resources for early learning;
- promoting State and local education agency partnerships with other early learning agencies and programs in the State or community;
- conducting research on early learning through the Institute of Education Sciences (IES);
- funding technical assistance on early learning topics, including early literacy and social and emotional development; and
- supporting the development of State longitudinal data systems that include early learning programs.
Supporting Early Learning
ED has a history of funding early learning programs. Some of the current investments include:
Race to the TopEarly Learning Challenge
Supports states' efforts to create comprehensive plans to build coordinated early learning and development systems and improve programs so that more children, especially those with high needs, will enter kindergarten ready to succeed.IDEA Part C State Grants for Infants and Toddlers
Ensures that appropriate early intervention services are made available to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.IDEA Part B Preschool State Grants
Provides special education and related services for children with disabilities ages 3 through 5.IDEA Part B State Grants
Provides special education and related services for children with disabilities ages 3 through 21.The Title I Program
Supports school and community-based preschool and K-3rd grade programs.Promise Neighborhoods
Supports planning grants for communities to build on the work of the Harlem Children's Zone.Investing in Innovation (i3)
Supports improving student achievement and attainment in order to expand the implementation of, and investment in, innovative practices.Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Program
Develops and supports a comprehensive literacy initiative from birth through grade 12.Even Start Family Literacy Program, Even Start for Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations, and Migrant Education Even Start
Support family literacy projects that integrate early childhood education, adult literacy, parenting education, and interactive parent and child literacy activities.Ready to Learn Television
Supports the development of educational programming and materials to increase school readiness for young children.21st Century Community Learning Centers
Supports community learning centers to provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for young children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools.Demonstration Grants for Indian Children
Supports school readiness projects for three- and four-year-old Indian children.Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program
Supports the participation of low-income parents in postsecondary education through the provision of campus-based child care services.
Increasing Early Learning in the Proposed Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The Department's proposal for reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act supports a continuum of learning, beginning at birth, in order to close the achievement gap and ensure that every student graduates from high school ready to succeed in college and a career. Watch and listen to our early learning and ESEA stakeholders' forum on ED.gov Blog.
Promoting Early Learning for Success in School and in Life in FY2013
The President's Budget will raise the bar on quality across all publicly-funded early learning settings through investments in developing new standards and practices to improve outcomes, engaging families in their child's early learning and development, and strengthening the early education workforce.
Partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
ED is committed to working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help States create coherent systems of early learning from birth through 3rd grade. The two agencies have been working together on a number of initiatives:
Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge Program
Jointly administered by the two Departments, this program will set a high bar and reward States with the strongest plans to improve the quality of early learning and development programs.Interagency Policy Board (IPB) on Early Learning
The IPB's mission is to improve the quality of early learning programs and outcomes for young children; increase the coordination of research, technical assistance and data systems; and advance the effectiveness of the early learning workforce among the major federally funded early learning programs across the two Departments.Administration for Children and Families Early Childhood Development Interagency Coordination
Resources and Publications
Education-related resources and publications are available online in both English and Spanish, for families, educators and stakeholders. You may also call 1-800-USA-LEARN to speak to a resource specialist.
Technical Assistance, Research and Evaluations
Technical assistance, research information, longitudinal studies and evaluations of early learning programs are available on-line. You may also call 1-800-USA-LEARN to speak to a resource specialist.
Early Learning Email Updates
Sign Up to Receive Periodic Email Updates on Early Learning from the U.S. Department of Education
Early Learning email updates are a free service offered by the Early learning Initiative to keep members of the early learning community up-to-date on information that is relevant to programs and activities serving children birth through 3rd grade.
Further information about early learning activities at ED can be found on the ED.gov Blog.
Past Notices
Department of Education Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2011-2014 [PDF, 1.1MB]
Investing in Early LearningFY13 Budget Request, U.S. Department of Education [PDF, 185KB]
Investing in Early Learning for an America Built to LastFY13 Budget Request [PDF, 259KB]
- Letter to Governors Announcing Winners [PDF]
U.S. Department of Education Proposes Dedicated Office for Early Learning
$500 Million Race to the TopEarly Learning Challenge Program
ED and HHS host Listening and Learning about Early Learning Tour
ED and HHS co-host Early Childhood 2010: Innovations for the Next Generation
Obama Administration Releases Final Application for Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge
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Obama Administration Announces $500 Million for Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC)
President's FY12 Budget Makes Significant Investments in Early Learning at ED [PDF]
Overall Federal Investment in Early Learning Across ED and HHS [PDF]
Secretary of Education Announces Final Priorities and Definitions Including For Early Learning