Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 111730
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File Number: 111730 File Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Version: 0 Reference: R-711-11 Control: Board of County Commissioners
File Name: RACE TO THE TOP EARLY LEARNING CHALLENGE Introduced: 8/22/2011
Requester: NONE Cost: Final Action: 9/1/2011
Agenda Date: 9/1/2011 Agenda Item Number: 11A27
Notes: Title: RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING THROUGH THE RACE TO THE TOP EARLY LEARNING CHALLENGE
Indexes: EDUCATI0N
  URGING
Sponsors: Barbara J. Jordan, Prime Sponsor
  Sally A. Heyman, Co-Sponsor
Sunset Provision: No Effective Date: Expiration Date:
Registered Lobbyist: None Listed


Legislative History

Acting Body Date Agenda Item Action Sent To Due Date Returned Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners 9/1/2011 11A27 Adopted P

County Attorney 8/22/2011 Assigned Jess M. McCarty

Legislative Text


TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING THROUGH THE RACE TO THE TOP EARLY LEARNING CHALLENGE

BODY

WHEREAS, on May 25, 2011, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and U.S. Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a new $500 million grant competition, the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge, which is open only to states; and
WHEREAS, the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge results from business, law enforcement and military leaders advocating for increased investments in early learning to reduce crime, strengthen national security, and boost U.S. competitiveness; and
WHEREAS, the Early Learning Challenge will reward states that create comprehensive plans to transform early learning systems with better coordination, clearer learning standards, and meaningful workforce development; and
WHEREAS, among other grant criteria for the Early Learning Challenge, states will need to take action to
Increase the number and percentage of low-income and disadvantaged children in each age group of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who are enrolled in high-quality early learning programs; and
Design and implement an integrated system of high-quality early learning programs and services; and
Ensure that any use of assessments conforms with the recommendations of the National Research Council�s reports on early childhood; and

WHEREAS, research shows that high-quality early learning programs lead to long lasting positive outcomes for children, including increased rates of high school graduation, college attendance and college completion; and
WHEREAS, despite these research findings, just 40 percent of 4-year olds in America are currently enrolled in preschool programs; and
WHEREAS, the most recent report from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) indicates that, for the first time in a decade, states are reducing some of their key investments in early learning as they deal with budget gaps; and
WHEREAS, Early Learning Challenge grants will encourage states to make the best possible use of current federal and state investments in early learning and child care; and
WHEREAS, high quality early learning programs mean that children will enter school better prepared with a greater chance of finishing high school and college; and
WHEREAS, expanding access to such early education and child care programs will also make it easier for working parents, giving them peace of mind that their children are in a high quality learning environment while they are at work; and
WHEREAS, if chosen, Florida has the potential to receive as much as $100 million from 2012 to 2015 through the Early Learning Challenge; and
WHEREAS, there may be some question whether Florida is eligible to apply for grant funding through the Early Learning Challenge because Florida passed up $3.4 million in grant funding from the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood and Home Visiting Program; and
WHEREAS, this Board strongly urges the State of Florida and Governor Rick Scott to apply for the Race to the Top- Early Learning Challenge,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the State of Florida and Governor Rick Scott to apply for federal grant funding through the Race to the Top- Early Learning Challenge.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit certified copies of the resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade State Legislative Delegation and the Director of the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation.
Section 3. Directs the County�s state lobbyists to advocate for the issues identified in Section 1 above, and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2012 state legislative package.



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