Reports have indicated Latinos who attended prekindergarten (pre-k) education showed improved academic and social skills, and Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, is hoping to further expand pre-k funding.

According to the National Research Center on Hispanic Children and Families, nearly one-in-four kindergarten child is of Latino or Hispanic origin. The kindergarten Latino, however, is more likely to lag in early language, literacy and mathematics compared to non-Latino white classmates. The organization also noted Latino children's' enrollment in pre-k is relatively low.

On Tuesday, Castro introduced "The Pre-K for USA Act." The Texas congressman's goal is to provide eligible education and government entities access federal funds for pre-k education. With his bill, pre-k programs will have a "direct line" to receive federal grants and bypass state governments for funds.

"Studies show that students who attend high-quality pre-k have better educational outcomes than their peers who lack access to early education," said Castro in a statement. "Despite these proven, long-term benefits, some states -- including Texas -- are slashing funding available for pre-k programs and declining federal aid."

In Texas, home to 38.6 percent Latino population, Castro said $200 million in pre-k grants have been cut from a state-level. He also noted the Lone Star State missed on over $118 million on federal pre-k funding.

Although he introduced the "Pre-K for USA Act" in the current 114th Congress, it is not the first time he introduced the bill. In June 2014, Castro also introduced the "Pre-K for USA Act" (H.R. 4965). According to Congress.gov, the bill was referred to the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education in last November, but it hasn't advanced.

Based on H.R. 4965, the bill would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 to direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Education secretaries to collaborate on awarding competitive grants for local education agencies or government entities to enhance high-quality preschool programs.

Castro's bill comes as the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 40 Latino organizations, called for ESEA provision updates that better reflects the growing Latino community in the classroom.

"Latinos are also disproportionately young, representing over twenty-five percent of students in public schools. It is because of this growth in the Latino community that students of color are no longer the minority, but the new majority of students in our nation's public schools. Congress must update ESEA to meet the needs of our nation's new demographics, not roll back longstanding civil rights protections in this important civil rights law," wrote the NHLA in a letter published on Nov. 16.

"Increasing access to high-quality prekindergarten programs will improve our students' long-term performance in school and strengthen our future workforce. When we invest in our kids, America succeeds," added Castro.

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