Luján Introduces Legislation to Support and Strengthen New Mexico’s Early Childhood Education Workforce

Introduction Comes as Trump Looks to Gut Critical Early Childhood Education Programs Like Head Start

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) - one of two Head Start graduates to serve in the U.S. Senate - introduced the Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act of 2026, legislation to strengthen our nation's early childhood workforce by creating a federal grant program for states to prepare, develop and support early childhood educators. U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) leads companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Early childhood educators are essential to children's learning and development, yet challenges continue to strain the workforce and reduce access to child care for families. The Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act would strengthen the early childhood workforce by investing in professional development, expanding career pathways, and improving educator recruitment and retention.

"As one of only two Senators who attended Head Start, I know firsthand the lasting impact early childhood education can have on a child's future," said Senator Luján. "To ensure our next generation is prepared for success, we must invest to support and strengthen our early childhood workforce. I'm proud to champion this legislation to strengthen the early childhood workforce in New Mexico and across the country by expanding career pathways, professional development, and the support educators need."

The Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act specifically would:

• Establish a five-year, renewable state grant program to support comprehensive early childhood professional development systems.
• Require states to develop and submit a workforce plan in partnership with key stakeholders-including State Advisory Councils on Early Childhood Education, State Education Agencies, Head Start State Directors, institutions of higher education, and early childhood educator organizations-that outlines educator standards, career pathways, higher education partnerships, workforce data, and long-term sustainability strategies.
• Require states to use grant funding to:
  • Provide scholarships for early childhood educators pursuing bachelor's degrees in early childhood education or related fields.
  • Help educators with degrees in other fields earn early childhood credentials or licensure.
  • Increase compensation for educators while they complete degree programs and ensure pay parity after degree completion.
  • Expand professional development focused on child development, teacher-child interactions, family engagement, and culturally responsive practices.

"Supporting our educators is the best and most meaningful investment we can make in our shared future. Thank you to the leaders behind this valuable and important initiative." - The Teacher Salary Project

"The Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC) commends Senator Luján and Representative Meng for championing the Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act of 2026. This legislation makes much-needed investments in early childhood educators' higher education, professional development, and compensation, including scholarships, clear pathways to credentials and degrees, and wage parity for those who advance their education, which will help address high turnover, recruitment and retention challenges, and the shrinking teacher pipeline. Well-prepared and fairly compensated early childhood educators are essential to the success of our schools, our workforce, and our society." - The Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC)

The Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).

The Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act is supported by: The National Association for Family Child Care, AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Early Care & Education Consortium, Educators for Excellence, Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK), and the Teacher Salary Project.

Full bill text is available here.

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