EWA Conference Call on Early Learning Challenge Grant Competition

Earlier today, nine states were declared the winners of the federal Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant competition during a ceremony at the White House. The states were chosen from 37 applicants and will share $500 million to support early childhood education programs and services.

The grant competition is expected to significantly impact how early childhood education is prioritized and delivered in the winning states. But as was emphasized during the White House ceremony today, the Obama administration intends for the competition to have ripple effects beyond those states.

EWA hosted a conference call for reporters this afternoon to allow them to gather insights and ask questions of leading experts. You can listen to the conversation here.

Our speakers included:

• Sharon Lynn Kagan, professor of early childhood and family policy at Teachers College, Collumbia University, and co-director of the National Center for Children and Families.
• Jon Schnur, executive chairman and co-founder of America Achieves, a new non-profit organization devoted to making the US a global leader in educational excellence.

Also on the call to field questions from reporters:

• Gerrit Westervelt, executive director of the Build Initiative, which supports states’ efforts to develop comprehensive early childhood learning policies, programs and services.
• Harriet Dichter, the national director of the First Five Years Fund, which is focusing its efforts on the sustainability of the Early Learning Challenge.