BOSTON - Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy, and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas today announced that the Education Development Center - Center for Children and Families will receive $2,766,184 as part of the Department of Education's Early Reading First Program.

The funding will be used for Lowell's Enhanced Approach for Developing Early Readers (LEADER) program. The program aims to work in 10 classrooms, potentially reaching 525 of Lowell's most vulnerable children during the 3 years of the project. LEADER will also implement an intensive professional development program for nearly 30 Lowell staff.

"You can't have equal opportunity and upward mobility without a world class education, but too often our state's neediest children don't get the attention they need to succeed. The LEADER program's commitment to training teachers to ensure all of the region's children experience better classroom environments and educational programs has made, and will continue to make a difference in the lives of countless children," said Senator Kerry.

Melissa Wagoner, spokeswoman for Senator Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, said, "The LEADER program will help hundreds of our commonwealth's children develop early reading skills with a scientifically-based program designed for their needs. Senator Kennedy believes that the LEADER program is a wise investment in early childhood education that will pay big dividends to Lowell for many years to come."

"Early childhood education is a critically important component of early childhood development and contributes greatly to a child's ability to arrive at school ready to learn and achieve," said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas. "The LEADER program helps provide a comprehensive approach to childhood literacy and educational readiness and I am pleased that the Department of Education has awarded this funding to further support this outstanding initiative."

###