Northeast News
Sept. 15, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan launched the “Ready for Success” back-to-school bus tour in Kansas City, Mo., at Woodland Early Learning Community School.

The visit will highlighted the importance of including children with disabilities in high-quality early learning programs. Duncan was joined by Cecilia Muñoz, assistant to President Obama and director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, as well as Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, Fifth District, and city and school officials.

In a press release, Cleaver said early childhood education is a vital part of the educational system.

“I am thrilled that Secretary Duncan is recognizing the great work being done here in our city to increase opportunities for students, from our youngest learners all the way through college,” Cleaver said.

There are approximately 6,000 three and four-year-old children within the Kansas City Public School (KCPS) boundaries, but only approximately 1,200 children are served in per-kindergarten classrooms that are funded by federal, or state grant programs, state child care subsidy, or parent fees. At Woodland, 82 percent of the children are prepared for success when they enter kindergarten compared to only 60 percent of kindergartners district-wide.

Secretary Duncan’s bus tour will stop in 11 cities throughout Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www2.ed.gov/success/index.html.