U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will visit the New Bridge Learning Center tomorrow in Henrico, Va., to spotlight a quality preschool program and highlight President Obama's proposal to expand early learning opportunities to all children.
The President, in an effort to help all children begin school on a level playing field, put forward in his 2014 budget request an historic new investment in early learning that would make preschool available to all 4-year olds from low-income families; expand evidence-based home-visiting services for vulnerable families and children; and support quality improvements through a new Early Head Start-Child Care partnership.
Duncan will showcase the New Bridge Learning Center where comprehensive services are provided to 110 at-risk preschool children and their families from Henrico County. More than 80 percent of the students qualify for free and reduced lunches. Each classroom is comprised of 18 students, a teacher trained in early childhood education and an instructional assistant. Students attend school five days a week, a little over 6 hours a day.