Morning Bell: Why Obama’s Preschool Plan Faces An ‘Uphill Climb’

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President Barack Obama rests his hand next to a copy of his speech as he delivers his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress.

State of the Union features historic focus on early education – “President Obama made an unprecedented called for universal preschool in his State of the Union address Tuesday, while insisting that all of his proposals will not add to the country’s deficit.” Hechinger Report

Four Reasons Pre-K Faces An Uphill Climb – “Delivering high-quality pre-K is an investment that pays off in the future – but it’s one that Washington has to pay for now.  That’s a tall order in today’s fiscal climate.” Eduwonk

Tough Sledding on Pre-K Politics: Why Access and Quality Aren’t Easily Divorced – “I don’t think there’s anyone participating seriously in these debates at a policy level who doesn’t think quality matters. There are just real differences of opinion on what pre-k quality means: certified teachers? rich interactions? an emphasis on language and early literacy skills? There is real evidence to inform these questions.” Sarah Mead’s Policy Notebook

State of the Union: President’s Push for More Early Learning – “As predicted, President Obama’s State of the Union address contained a wealth of education initiatives, including a new grant program aimed at ensuring high schools turn out 21st century career-ready graduates, and a call for universal preschool for every child.” The Educated Reporter