NY seeks millions in early education grant

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has submitted New York's application for a federal Early Childhood Learning Grant that could bring the state an additional $100 million in federal funds to better prepare children for elementary school and beyond.

"A strong early childhood education gives our children the foundation they need to succeed in the classroom and be ready for college and future careers," Cuomo said in a written statement Thursday.

The New York proposal for the federal Race to the Top funds has three initiatives covering several aspects of education.

They are "designed to increase the number of high quality early childhood learning programs, give teachers the tools they need to understand their students' strengths and weaknesses, help parents become involved in their child's education, and improve the quality of the early childhood workforce," according to Cuomo's office.

Earlier this year, federal education officials announced that states could compete for $500 million in grants as part of the Race to the Top -- Early Learning Challenge. The initiatives include a kindergarten readiness measurement tool. Such a measure was approved Monday when the state Board of Regents passed a plan to evaluate all kindergartners as they enter school to determine their readiness for the classroom.

The proposal also includes professional development for early childhood providers and an evaluation tool that rates early childhood learning programs on how they meet common standards.

State Education Commissioner John B. King Jr. said the application highlights the Board of Regents' commitment to early childhood learning. The governor said that 44 percent of the state's third-graders do not meet state reading standards and that research has shown that investing in early learning can produce $7 in returns for every $1 spent in the state and a quality education can help reduce poverty in disadvantaged communities.

"Our students are in a race to the top, but far too many children are starting that race already behind,'' King said.

The state will learn in mid-December whether they will receive the funding.