MARYLAND HEIGHTS — Sen. Kit Bond will seek a massive expansion in early childhood education services for families nationwide before retiring from the U.S. Senate.
The Missouri Republican said Friday he'll reintroduce the Education Begins at Home Act. He will seek $500 million in federal money over three years for better early education opportunities for the young children of 2.7 million families.
Bond hopes to expand the Parents as Teachers program. He spoke during a visit to the Parents as Teachers headquarters in suburban St. Louis.
Bond announced Thursday he will not run again in 2010 after serving in public office for nearly 40 years.
The Parents as Teachers program began in Missouri when Bond was governor in the 1980s, and he helped push its expansion nationally.