VIENNA, Va., Dec. 16, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts today announced it will commit more than $1 million to early childhood education in 2016, joining the Invest in US coalition of corporations, nonprofits, policymakers and business leaders dedicated to strengthening young children's education, social and economic outcomes. The news was shared at an event in Washington, D.C. marking the one-year anniversary of the White House Summit on Early Childhood Education.

With its commitment, Wolf Trap Foundation is the newest addition to the Invest in US coalition, which was launched at the White House Summit in December 2014. The campaign challenges public and private partners to build a better nation by expanding high-quality early childhood education programs. Major corporations, foundations and individuals have pledged more than $333 million to expand early childhood programs and research.

Wolf Trap Foundation's investment will expand the reach of the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, ensuring that more children in more communities have access to Wolf Trap's proven arts-integrated teaching methods. Founded in 1981 at the request of Head Start, Wolf Trap Institute equips teachers with performing arts strategies to teach across subject areas, and provides classrooms with professional Teaching Artists for hands-on learning residencies. In the 2015-2016 school year, through its national network of affiliates and partners, Wolf Trap Institute will serve 60,000 children, teachers and parents, and will deliver free resources, lessons plans and arts-integration teaching tips to thousands more educators through its online community of practice, education.wolftrap.org.

Wolf Trap's approach to arts integration is based on decades of research demonstrating that high-quality arts education is an effective way to help children learn. Earlier this year, an independent study of one Wolf Trap Institute program showed that participating children performed significantly better in math, with positive effects persisting well after their Wolf Trap program had concluded.

Speakers today included Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President; John King, Senior Advisor Delegated Duties of Deputy Secretary of Education; and Roberto Rodriguez, Deputy Assistant to the President for Education.

Arvind Manocha, president and CEO of Wolf Trap Foundation, said, "Wolf Trap Foundation hopes to inspire a culture where every child, regardless of his or her background, has the opportunity to learn and succeed. The arts are a proven, effective means to reach young children. As an arts leader, Wolf Trap has a responsibility to use our expertise to advance early childhood learning. We're honored to join this esteemed coalition of early childhood leaders. Together, we are fulfilling the President's mandate to invest in quality early childhood education."

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts presents and produces a full range of performance and education programs in the Greater Washington, D.C. area, as well as nationally and internationally. Wolf Trap's education programs include the nationally acclaimed Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, which provides innovative arts-based teaching strategies and services to early childhood teachers, caregivers, and children from birth through Kindergarten.

For more information, interview requests and images, please contact: Michelle Pendoley, Director, Public Relations, michellep@wolftrap.org | O: (703) 255-1917 | C: (703) 203-4794