I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3322 
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 
NOVEMBER 2, 2011 
Mr. HIMES (for himself, Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia, Mr. POLIS, and Ms. 
HIRONO) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee 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 State Sys-
tems of 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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(1) shall coordinate proposed activities with the 
State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Edu-
cation and Care (established pursuant to section 
642B(b)(1)(A) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9837b(b)(1)(A))) and shall incorporate plans and 
recommendations from such Council in the applica-
tion, where applicable; and 
(2) shall submit the application to the Secretary 
at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Secretary may reasonably re-
quire. 
(e) PRIORITY IN AWARDING GRANTS.—In awarding 
grants under this Act, the Secretary shall give priority to 
States— 
(1) whose applications contain assurances that 
the State will use, in part, funds reserved under sec-
tion 658G of the Child Care and Development Block 
Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858e) for activities 
described in section 4(c)(4); 
(2) that demonstrate efforts to build public-pri-
vate partnerships, including partnerships with non-
profits and private entities, designed to accomplish 
the purpose of this Act; and 
(3) that have invested their own funds in early 
childhood education. 
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