Congresswoman Hirono Introduces Early Education Workforce Act
Legislation Will Help Prepare More Qualified Early Education
and Childcare Professionals
WASHINGTON, D.C.—
Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono has introduced the Early Education Workforce Act (H.R. 3966), a bill which would help meet the demand for qualified early education and childcare professionals.
“Hawai‘i and other states are making real progress in providing families access to voluntary preschool and childcare. But we face a shortage of qualified professionals, and without enough trained teachers and childcare workers, we will not be able to provide quality early education programs and childcare for many children,” Congresswoman Hirono said.
To address this shortage, Congresswoman Hirono’s legislation helps states take steps to recruit and retain early educators. She proposes providing federal grants to state task forces working on this problem.
“We can attract highly motivated and talented people into early education if we streamline professional development opportunities, open doors to early childhood education degree programs and raise salaries for preschool teachers and childcare workers,” Congresswoman Hirono said.
Congresswoman Hirono, who serves on the House Education and Labor Committee, has introduced other legislation this year that also focuses on improving the quality of early childhood education. She introduced the Providing Resources Early for Kids (PRE-K) Act (H.R. 3289), and her proposal to forgive student loans for graduates pursuing careers in early childhood education was included in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act that recently became law.
“I am working hard to improve the quality of early education because the early years are so essential in a child’s development. Early education provides a foundation for learning and for success,” Congresswoman Hirono explained.
A video of Congresswoman Hirono’s speech introducing the bill can be viewed at http://hirono.house.gov/video/071025hr3966.wmv
A copy of the text of her floor statement is available at http://hirono.house.gov/list/speech/hi02_hirono/earlyedworkforce.html
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