“I’d like to thank Secretaries Paige and Thompson for their leadership on this vitally important issue. Early childhood education, in particular in reading and math, is crucial to a child’s future learning development, and it is important that we study these programs carefully in order to make prudent policy decisions about them in the future,” Boehner said. “This task force will emphasize scientifically based instruction to ensure that children in Head Start and other pre-school programs learn vital pre-reading skills before entering grade school.”

            “The Education Reform Subcommittee is taking a close look at early childhood education programs to ensure that they are working effectively on behalf of our nation’s children,” said Castle. “I welcome the efforts of Secretaries Paige and Thompson to implement proven research methods into early childhood programs.”