Julián Castro Makes Universal Pre-K Focus Of Education Plan
May 13, 2019, 6:41 AM | Updated: Jun 8, 2022, 5:09 pm
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 27: Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro speaks at the National Forum on Wages and Working People: Creating an Economy That Works for All at Enclave on April 27, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Six of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates are attending the forum, held by the Service Employees International Union and the Center for American Progress Action Fund, to share their economic policies. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(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.
