State Policies America's Edge Supports

America’s Edge supports ensuring children have access to high-quality early care and pre-K state programs.  Even in tough budget times, states must continue to invest in these programs because that investment is critical to our country’s economic revitalization both short and long-term, including job creation:

  • Every $1 invested in early care and education generates nearly $2 for the local economy.
  • Spending by every 4 workers employed in early care and education supports an additional new job in another sector of the local economy.

Research confirms that the availability of quality early learning programs in a community:

  • Reduces absenteeism of working parents;
  • Reduces employee turnover;
  • Increases employee retention;
  • Increases productivity;
  • Increases earnings and tax revenues; and
  • Attracts better employees and new businesses to communities.

America’s Edge is targeting its efforts to support high-quality early care and education programs in the following states:

  • California: Support “Linked Learning,” a type of Career Academies, in selected school districts. (Learn more.)

  • Illinois: Prevent the state’s “Preschool for All” program from ending on June 30, 2010, and restore $38 million to the program. (Learn more.)
  • Michigan: Restore funding to Fiscal Year 2003 levels for state pre-K. (Learn more.)
  • New York: Restore $50 million in funding for quality child care. (Learn more.)

  • Washington, D.C.: Continue full funding of the “Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Act of 2008.” (Learn more.)
  • Washington State: Increase investment in high-quality early learning for children at greatest risk of school failure. (Learn more.)