A new state panel will help guide early childhood education efforts across Wisconsin.
The governor on Tuesday announced the creation of an Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care. Department of Children and Families Secretary Reggie Bicha will co-chair the panel, along with State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster.
Bich says the goal is to make sure more children in the state can participate in high quality education programs, starting at a young age.
Bicha says the Council will focus on coordinating the many public and private sector groups that provide early childhood care and education. He also wants the panel to look at the many funding issues surrounding programs, since there's little coordination between the federal and state sources supporting them.
The governor was directed to create the panel under the federal Head Start Reauthorization Act of 2007.