MAY 1, 2014- Giving every child access to a quality pre-k education….
That’s the goal of a new coalition introduced this morning.
Co-chairs Nick Scott Jr. and Ronald DiNicola unveiled their “Pre-K for PA for NWPA Campaign.”
The non-partisan campaign is looking to improve and better access to pre-k learning opportunities for all children in Pennsylvania.
Scott says public funds in the commonwealth for pre-k are less than 20 percent and he says there is a need for more.
Scott and DiNicola have already gone before local stakeholders and plan to campaign for more community support in the upcoming weeks.
Read the full article on YourErie.com
By Sara Watson, National Director of ReadyNation/America’s Edge
There are many compelling reasons for supporting high-quality pre-kindergarten education. You might be told quality pre-k programs can lead to reductions in crime, improvements in public health and nutrition, and stronger families—all of which are true. But there are strong, bottom-line economic benefits as well.
The business leaders of ReadyNation/America’s Edge know this, which is why we are dedicated to strengthening businesses by expanding quality pre-k opportunities. These programs bring immediate and long-term benefits to families and communities.
IMMEDIATELY, we see a return on investment in the sale of local goods and services that outpaces many other economic sectors. Pre-k programs also create jobs; in fact, according to the IMPLAN economic data for Pennsylvania, a $1 billion investment in high-quality pre-K would create almost 28,000 jobs in Pennsylvania, including 5,600 jobs outside the early learning sector. In addition, quality pre-k programs help to reduce employee absenteeism, a problem that costs U.S. businesses $3 billion annually.
IN THE FUTURE, we will have a stronger workforce made up of children who were given a strong foundation for success and grew into productive adults. High-quality pre-k programs, especially for disadvantaged children, can increase high school graduation rates, the likelihood of being consistently employed, and lifetime earnings as well.
We know that quality pre-k is essential for our kids and for our economy. Now it is up to us to make it happen for Pennsylvania’s children.
Sara Watson is the National Director of ReadyNation/America’s Edge. To view the report “Strengthening Pennsylvania Businesses through Investments in Pre-Kindergarten,” please click here.
Get a free Pre-K for PA sticker
Wear your Pre-K for PA sticker on primary election day in Pennsylvania: May 20, 2014. Order a free sticker for you and your friends by end of day on Monday 5/12. We’ll send it to you before election day.
Click here to order your free sticker.
Thanks for everything you do for Pennsylvania’s children.
Lower Merion, William Penn, Norristown School Boards Pass Resolutions in Support of High-Quality Pre-K
Pre-k momentum grows as three area school boards join the cause in support of state-funded early learning policies
Philadelphia, PA – The boards of three area schools districts – Lower Merion, William Penn and Norristown – all signed on in support of the growing Pre-K for PA movement Monday evening by enacting resolutions calling for the adoption of state-funded policies to ensure that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania can access high-quality pre-k education.
“All children should have the opportunity to enter kindergarten ready to succeed,” said Lower Merion School Board President Dr. Melissa Gilbert. “We are fortunate to have a number of high quality pre-K options in our community. We recognize, however, that these options do not exist in every district, nor are they affordable to every family in Lower Merion. As a state, it’s essential that we invest in quality early learning programs to prepare future generations of Pennsylvania students for success.”
“Investment in high-quality pre-k is an issue that Pennsylvania’s elected officials and candidates for office cannot ignore,” said William Penn School District Superintendent Joe Bruni. “We have seen it over and over again – too many of our children fall behind in school because their families do not have access to, or cannot afford quality pre-k. Now is the time to reverse this trend and invest in our kids.”
“We know that the investment in early learning is essential, because it helps ensure that every child has the best chance possible for academic and social success,” said Norristown Superintendent Dr. Janet Samuels. “Every child has a right to high quality pre-kindergarten, we have a responsibility throughout the Commonwealth to ensure all children and families have access. The impact on the lives of children is immeasurable.”
Each of the three resolutions highlights the benefits of high-quality pre-k programs. Those benefits include, among others: improved early literacy, language, math, social and emotional skills; a reduction in special education placements and grade repetition; increased rates of high school graduation and college enrollment; and decreased high school dropout and crime rates.
For a copy of each of the full resolutions, visit Pre-K for PA’s “Supers for Pre-K” webpage here.
Pre-K for PA is an issue campaign supported by individuals and organizations across Pennsylvania who believe that investing in our children is the right choice and an urgent necessity. Our vision is that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania will have access to high-quality pre-k. We will not endorse nor oppose candidates, but rather we will advocate on behalf of this vision for Pennsylvania’s children, schools and communities.
