MEDIA REPORTS
PennLive: OpEd: Pre-K is Progress We Can’t Afford to Lose
For more than two decades, Pennsylvania has been investing in our youngest learners.
Year after year, budget after budget, across party lines and administrations, we’ve taken meaningful steps forward in growing access to Head Start and Pre-K Counts to help more children thrive in their earliest years and setting the stage for future success.
With Allegheny County and Pa. desperate for more pre-K teachers, Gov. Shapiro’s budget proposal offers some hope
A historic staffing crisis is causing classrooms and entire programs across the state to decrease their capacity or close, leaving working families without access to critical early learning programs. Less than half of eligible children in Pennsylvania attend a high-quality preschool program.
Bedford Gazette: Education caucus discusses teacher shortages
The state’s Early Childhood Education Caucus hosted a rally with child care and pre-K students, teachers and parents as well as other advocates to underscore the worsening impacts of the commonwealth’s early learning teacher shortage.
MyChesCo: Shaping the Future of Pennsylvania: Examining Gov. Shapiro’s 2024-25 Budget Proposa
However, the ELPA coalition paints a concerning picture with pre-K classrooms closing throughout the commonwealth due to inadequate wages. These circumstances are forcing pre-k teachers to vacate their chosen field for higher-paying roles in other sectors. The fresh investment planned by the government is undoubtedly a critical initial step towards overcoming this issue.
The Valley Ledger: Legislators Recognize Two Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers Inc. Sites Move-up to High Quality
State Senator David Argall (R-District 29) and State Representative Doyle Heffley (R-District 122) presented certificates to staff at Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers Inc. recognizing two of their child care centers in Carbon County for achieving the highest quality designation in the state, a Keystone STAR 4. Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania’s Quality Rating and Improvement System helping early care and education centers reach and sustain high-quality education programs.
WJET: Gov. Shapiro promotes youth education at 2023 Easter egg hunt
Governor Josh Shapiro is using his first Easter egg hunt to push his education agenda, especially for younger Pennsylvanians.
ABC27: Governor Shapiro, First Lady host annual Easter egg hunt
It was a fun day on Tuesday at the Governor’s Mansion as Governor and First Lady Shapiro hosted students, teachers, and advocates for the annual Easter egg hunt and education events.
PennLive: Gov. Shapiro, first lady host annual Easter Egg Hunt
Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro hosted several pre-k students, teachers, and advocates at for an annual Easter egg hunt Tuesday.
WTAJ: Governor Shapiro Highlights Early Education at Easter Event
Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro hosted an Easter egg hunt to highlight the need for high-quality early childhood programs across the Commonwealth.
Penn-Capital Star: Ahead of Shapiro’s budget, poll stresses funding for early child care
Eighty-five percent of provider respondents to the poll commissioned by the advocacy groups Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA said they face staffing shortages, while 50 percent said they’ve shuttered at least one classroom in response to the staffing gap.
