Dayton Names Early Learning Council In Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Gov. Mark Dayton has picked 22 members of an Early Learning Council he established earlier this year.

One of their main jobs will be to advise the Democratic governor as Minnesota vies for a share of $500 million in federal grants for early childhood education.

Dayton announced the appointments at the Capitol on Wednesday. Former deputy education commissioner Barb Yates will lead the group.

The appointments come several months after Dayton said the state would apply for a third round of "Race to the Top" federal education grants. The current competition between states focuses on improving early learning programs for low-income children.

Dayton says the state has the authority under current law to continue an early learning rating system established in 2009, which should help with the application.

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