Julián Castro Makes Universal Pre-K Focus Of Education Plan
May 13, 2019, 6:41 AM | Updated: Jun 8, 2022, 5:09 pm
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro is calling for free public college tuition and universal prekindergarten under a new education plan in his 2020 campaign.
The former Obama Cabinet member’s proposals unveiled Monday would also boost teacher pay by up to $10,000 a year through a federal tax credit while funding prekindergarten for children as young as three.
Castro is rolling out his plan for the nation’s classrooms and universities following a heavy focus on immigration reform during the early stages of his campaign.
Other candidates in the sprawling Democratic field are also embracing tuition-free higher education and reforming the nation’s student loan programs. Last month, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts proposed eliminating existing student debt altogether for millions of Americans.