Margaret Spellings Addressed Early Learning in Fort Worth

The Bipartisan Policy Center CEO discussed workforce development and early education at a local luncheon.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Child Care

Bold vector editorial illustration featuring a single wooden block balanced on an open book, symbolizing early education and development. — Bipartisan Policy Center CEO Margaret Spellings visited Fort Worth to discuss how early education initiatives can strengthen the local workforce and improve student reading benchmarks. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Margaret Spellings, CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center and former U.S. Secretary of Education, visited Fort Worth to discuss the intersection of early learning and workforce development. The event was held at an annual investors luncheon hosted by the Texas nonprofit Child Care Associates.

Why it matters

Spellings advocates for robust early education initiatives to ensure students reach critical reading proficiency benchmarks by the third grade. These efforts aim to stabilize the regional workforce by addressing child care challenges that were significantly exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Child Care Associates has implemented a pilot program aimed at increasing early educator wages while expanding infant and toddler care access. The initiative builds upon strategies developed by the Blue Ribbon Action Committee on Child Care.

The players

Margaret Spellings

She serves as the president and CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center and previously acted as the U.S. Secretary of Education under President George W. Bush.

Mattie Parker

She is the Mayor of Fort Worth and established the city's Blue Ribbon Action Committee on Child Care.

Child Care Associates

This organization is a child development nonprofit operating in Texas that manages local early childhood programs.

The details

The Blue Ribbon Action Committee on Child Care, established by Mayor Mattie Parker, utilized federal relief funds to refine local care infrastructure. These efforts focus on creating a sustainable business model that supports providers and helps meet the educational requirements Spellings promotes.

Margaret Spellings served as president of the University of North Carolina system from 2016 to 2019.
The Bipartisan Policy Center issued a national report on workforce support in 2026.
Spellings spoke at an annual investors luncheon in Fort Worth on September 30, 2026.

Roadmap

Local efforts in Fort Worth to stabilize the early childhood sector reflect a broader national shift toward integrating child care into economic development strategies. By treating child care as critical infrastructure, the city aligns with emerging national policy trends identified by the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Residents may see expanded access to infant and toddler care as Child Care Associates rolls out its new business model for providers. These changes are designed to support local families by improving the reliability and availability of early learning options in the area.

The takeaway

Investment in early education serves as a foundational pillar for long-term workforce stability and student success. Communities that prioritize accessible child care can better support working parents while ensuring children hit essential academic milestones early in their development.