Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), a member of the Senate Education Committee, and Angus King (I-ME) announced today that the Maine Department of Education (DOE) received $1,011,080 for the Every Student Succeeds Act’s (ESSA) Preschool Development Grant program.  This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families.

“The Maine Department of Education works in partnership with educators, schools, and communities throughout our state to provide all Maine students with access to quality education that leads to successful lives and careers,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.  “We welcome this important investment, which strengthens Maine’s efforts toward building strong early learning systems aligned with K-12 education and improving transitions from early learning programs to kindergarten.”

ESSA’s Preschool Development Grants program provides competitive grants, managed jointly by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education, for states to improve coordination, quality, and access for early childhood education for low- and moderate-income children from birth to age five.

ESSA, a federal education law, creates a long-term stable commitment to equal opportunity for all students.  The ESSA law provides states additional flexibility and encourages states and schools to innovate and build upon past success while at the same time, being accountable for students.  This increased flexibility gives states and school districts an opportunity to tailor strategies and interventions to meet the needs of students and schools.