Important step toward ensuring quality learning environments for pre-schoolers and securing federal funds

SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Joan Buchanan’s (D-Alamo) bill, AB 2592, creating an Early Learning Quality Rating Scale (QRS) pilot to assess quality and support programs in early learning environments passed the Assembly today.

“A quality rating scale is a necessary tool to improve California’s early learning programs” stated Buchanan. “Research has demonstrated that children who attend high-quality early education programs are less likely to drop out of high school, be held back a grade, or placed in special education and they are more likely to score better on reading and math achievement tests.”

AB 2592 was created to place California in a better position to receive the funds from the federal Early Learning Challenge Fund and other new federal early learning grants. To be eligible for these federal funds, the state must codify a Quality Rating Scale (QRS).

Buchanan continued “We do not want to see California in the same place we were with Race to the Top.  By codifying the QRS now, California is taking the necessary steps to ensure that we are in a good position to receive Early Learning Challenge Fund funding.  21 states already have a QRS and we need to make progress now.”

Assemblymember Joan Buchanan, elected to the State Assembly in November 2008, represents the 15th Assembly District, which includes portions of Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento and San Joaquin counties and the communities of Alamo, Danville, Elk Grove, Galt, Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Stockton and Walnut Creek.

For more information on Assemblymember Buchanan or to sign up to receive e-alerts, please visit her website at www.assembly.ca.gov/a15.

Contact: Michelle Henry @ (916) 319-2015