STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON MARYLAND’S RACE TO THE TOP-EARLY LEARNING CHALLENGE GRANT

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 16, 2011) - Governor Martin O’Malley today released the following statement on Maryland’s Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge grant:

“Thanks to President Obama, Maryland's #1 ranked public schools will now be able to implement many strategies to improve early childhood education in our State. Together, we can better coordinate state and local efforts, encourage more involvement from our families, expand health and behavioral programs, and provide more support for our teachers and principals to better prepare our children in their early years.

“In Maryland, we choose to invest in public education, because to move forward in this changing new economy, we must create jobs and expand opportunity – and education is the best tool we have. While our participation in the federal ‘Race to the Top’ initiative has culminated with millions in education investments, this process has always been part of a long-term strategic policy initiative aimed at improving Maryland’s public schools and ensuring every child receives the world-class education they deserve beginning in their early years and beyond.

“I’d also like to thank the U.S. Department of Education, our Advisory Council of Early Care and Education, and all of those who supported its work, and congratulate the students, educators and administrators of Maryland’s public schools for demonstrating that among the 50 states, Maryland does indeed stand at the top. We are honored to have been selected as a winner of this prestigious competition.”