ANC 1E Passes Howard Resolution Urging DC to Prioritize Pre-K Access for Lower-Income Families

Commissioner Brad Howard says tight budget years demand investments that deliver the strongest return for residents.

WASHINGTON — Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E has unanimously adopted Commissioner Brad Howard’s resolution (RES-6261) calling on the District to make its early-learning dollars work harder for the children who gain the most from them. The measure urges DC to adjust how it supports the Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Program (PKEEP) so more kids can benefit from proven early-education opportunities.

“Early learning can change the entire trajectory of a child’s life — better odds of graduating, staying safe, and having real choices as an adult,” said Commissioner Brad Howard. “In a year when every dollar counts, DC should be backing the kinds of early-education efforts that give kids that chance and deliver the strongest payoff for the whole city.”

The resolution points to long-standing research showing that high-quality early education is one of the most effective investments a city can make — improving graduation rates, reducing future justice-system involvement, and strengthening long-term public safety. It calls on DC to align PKEEP’s funding priorities and enrollment policies with those outcomes so more children can benefit.

Howard noted that this work reflects the core of his platform: focusing on what actually improves outcomes for kids, strengthens public safety, and delivers real value for residents. Learn more about what he’s fighting for at BradHoward.us.

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