Policy Resolution EDU-15-27

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) maintains that federal, state, and local policymakers must prioritize improved educational outcomes in our communities;

WHEREAS, successful educational outcomes, whether the goal is to be career ready or college bound, should be attained regardless of socioeconomic status;

WHEREAS, investments in high-quality early childhood education are shown to have immediate and lasting impacts on educational outcomes;

WHEREAS, evidence-based, best practices for early childhood learning exist that give federal, state, and local policymakers tools to ensure that investments in early learning opportunities result in positive impacts in our communities and in the lives of learners;

WHEREAS, the national Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten Cohort showed that students who attended a pre-k program scored higher on reading and math tests than children receiving parental care;

WHEREAS, according to the Urban Institute, African American children who attend pre-school have 53 percent improvement in word/letter recognition over an African American child who does not attend pre-school, and a 21 percent improvement in spelling;

WHEREAS, higher education and private enterprise are actively engaged in working with policymakers to promote and advance early childhood education; and

WHEREAS, state legislatures are poised to lead in early childhood innovation through increased investment in early learning infrastructure and the training of professional early learning educators.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) encourages its members and all federal, state, and local policymakers to work together and to achieve improved access to high quality early learning opportunities;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL applauds and supports President Barack Obama’s call for high-quality preschool available to every child in America, and further urges all states to work toward this goal;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL deeply appreciates and commends the efforts of professional educators who are essential to providing early learning opportunities to America’s youngest learners; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSOR: Senator Tanya D. Cook (NE)
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Education Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Chair: Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC)
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 12, 2014
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Joe Armstrong (TN), President