Missouri's Elementary and Secondary department this week asked the federal government to give it nearly $60 million, to improve early childhood education.
Missouri is one of many states seeking an "Early Learning Challenge Grant" under the federal "Race to the Top" program, according to Kathy Thornburg, DESE's assistant commissioner of the Office of Early and Extended Learning.
She told state Board of Education members Tuesday the federal program aims to place "more young children who are in programs outside of the home (in) high-quality programs - especially those children from families with low incomes, and also children with other risk factors."