Media Contact: Allie Wright, [email protected], (202) 794-1823

Concord, NH (February 23, 2017) – Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) President Mark Shriver issued the following statement today on the New Hampshire state Senate voting 22-1 to pass SB 191-FN, which would adequately fund full-day kindergarten programs.

“I applaud the New Hampshire state Senate for prioritizing kids by voting in favor of increasing adequacy funding for full-day kindergarten programs. This is a significant bipartisan step toward providing every child the opportunity to attend a full-day kindergarten program.

“A full day of learning offers many social, emotional and intellectual benefits to kindergarteners, such as having more time to focus on activities, to reflect on what they have done and to transition between tasks. If children are taught by quality teachers using an age-appropriate curriculum in small sized classes, they can take advantage of the additional learning time that a full day allows.

“In the months ahead, we will work with the governor, state senators and representatives to adopt expanded access to full-day kindergarten.”

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Save the Children Action Network is the political voice for kids. We believe that every child deserves the best start in life. That’s why we’re building bipartisan will and voter support to make sure every child in the U.S. has access to high-quality early learning and that no mother or child around the globe dies from a preventable disease or illness. By investing in kids and holding leaders accountable, we are helping kids from birth to age five survive and thrive. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.