I 
113TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 3984 
To establish an Early Learning Challenge Fund to support States in building 
and strengthening systems of high-quality early learning and development 
programs, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 3, 2014 
Mr. HIMES (for himself, Mr. POLIS, and Mr. CONNOLLY) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce 
A BILL 
To establish an Early Learning Challenge Fund to support 
States in building and strengthening systems of high- 
quality early learning and development programs, and 
for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Supporting Early 
Learning Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this Act is to support States in build-
ing and strengthening systems of high-quality early learn-
ing and development programs. 
SEC. 3. PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED. 
(a) QUALITY PATHWAYS GRANTS.—The Secretary of 
Education shall use funds made available to carry out this 
Act for a fiscal year to award grants, on a competitive 
basis, to States that have demonstrated the greatest 
progress in establishing and committing to maintain a sys-
tem of high-quality State early learning programs, con-
sistent with section 4. 
(b) DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.—The Secretary may 
use funds made available to carry out this Act for a fiscal 
year to award grants, on a competitive basis, in accord-
ance with section 5 to States that demonstrate a commit-
ment to establishing and committing to maintain a high- 
quality system of early learning that will include the com-
ponents described in section 4(c)(4) but are not— 
(1) eligible to be awarded a grant under sub-
section (a); or 
(2) awarded such a grant after application. 
(c) RESERVATIONS OF FEDERAL FUNDS.— 
(1) RESEARCH, EVALUATION, AND ADMINISTRA-
TION.—From the amount made available to carry 
out this Act for a fiscal year, the Secretary— 
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(A) shall reserve not more than 2 percent 
to administer this Act jointly with the Secretary 
of Health and Human Services for expenses of 
both agencies pursuant to the interagency 
agreement described in subsection (h); and 
(B) shall reserve not more than 5 percent 
to carry out activities under section 6. 
(2) TRIBAL
SCHOOL
READINESS
PLANNING 
DEMONSTRATION.—After making the reservations 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall reserve 5 
percent for a competitive grant demonstration pro-
gram for Indian tribes to develop and implement 
school readiness plans and programs that— 
(A) increase access to high-quality State 
early learning programs that improve health, 
social, emotional, cognitive, and physical out-
comes and school readiness; and 
(B) support Native culture in a tribally ad-
ministered early learning program, including 
American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start 
and Early Head Start programs. 
(d) STATE APPLICATIONS.—In applying for a grant 
under this Act, a Governor shall designate or establish a 
State-level entity (referred to in this Act as the ‘‘State’’) 
for administration of the grant. Such entity— 
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