Media Contact: Brendan Daly (202.794.1580)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 12, 2014) — Mark Shriver, president of Save the Children Action Network, issued the following statement after attending today’s White House Summit on Early Education.

“Every kid deserves a strong start to life, and our country can ensure all children have an equal opportunity to succeed by expanding preschool and making early learning a top priority. President Obama understands the economic and societal benefits of early education, and I was excited to participate in today’s summit where advocates and leaders from across the nation discussed how to make a breakthrough for America’s kids.”

“For years, poll after poll has shown broad bipartisan public consensus for expanding preschool and early learning. Yet political gridlock and unfulfilled campaign rhetoric have resulted in little overall progress in achieving early education for all kids. Our leaders must now find the political will necessary to identify viable financial mechanisms that can produce both the expansion of existing early education and the creation of new programs. Save the Children Action Network stands ready to work with the business community, education advocates and bipartisan policy makers at the federal, state and local levels to identify and implement innovative financing sources that can turn the dream of high-quality early childhood education into reality.”

Shriver participated in today’s White House Summit on Early Education where President Obama unveiled Invest In US, a new initiative that will challenge public and private partners to build a better nation through high-quality early childhood education. Save the Children Action Network is proud to be a partner organization of Invest In US and looks forward to working with partners in the administration, Congress and business community to find innovative and viable funding mechanisms to support expanded investment in early education nationwide.

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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.