The Morning Call (guest column), Lehigh Valley
O’Neill and Dunn: Quality pre-K education puts children on path to success
“As we all know, 2014 is a major election year in Pennsylvania. On the ballot will be races for the entire state House, half of the state Senate seats and our governor’s office. As voters, we have a responsibility to help guide the election debate to those issues that we see as critical to our commonwealth’s and our country’s future.
“As retired Army generals, we believe our candidates for public office must focus on better preparing our youth to be citizen-ready — healthy, educated, law-abiding contributors who are able to serve their nation either in uniform or in the civilian sector.”
Read more: http://www.mcall.com/opinion/yourview/mc-pre-k-mission-readiness-yv-0402-20140401,0,926507.story#ixzz2xp3NY3M9
WHYY/ Newsworks (Philadelphia): Study shows pre-kindergarten attendance creates healthier adults
by Taunya English
“Advocates for pre-kindergarten programs have some new evidence to sell the importance of early education.
A new study from researchers at the University of North Carolina shows links between pre-kindergarten enrollment and adult health.
Anne Gemmell, field director for the coalition PreK for PA, said she wasn’t surprised to learn about the health benefits even decades later.
“It’s beyond reading, it’s beyond math. It’s about making good life decisions,” Gemmell said. “High-quality pre-K can also reduce the effects of toxic stress from abuse and neglect.”
Click here to read the full article online.
By Sharon Easterling, Executive Director, DVAYEC
Thousands gathered this weekend at the 2014 DVAEYC Early Childhood conference, and took the opportunity to show their support for access to high-quality, affordable pre-k in a clever way: More than 1,000 attendees stood up during the plenary session and took “selfies” that they shared on social media using the hashtag #IamPreK.
Generating awareness and support for Pre-K for PA among this important group of committed early childhood professionals, including directors, teachers, administrators, therapists, doctors, and consultants is critical. Because this group speaks for children, and children can’t vote.
To achieve our goal that every preschooler in Pennsylvania will have access to a high-quality early learning program, public or private, we must raise the visibility of early childhood education so that every candidate – from governor on down, will understand the urgency of ensuring access to early learning.
Eighty-two percent of Pennsylvania children do not have access to high-quality, publicly funded pre-k. Those who signed on to join the statewide Pre-K for PA campaign just this weekend agree that is unacceptable.
So while it may seem silly to join the “selfie” trend, it’s a big step in showing we are a force for children in Pennsylvania and we will be seen and heard! Please snap a picture and post it to Twitter with the hashtag #IamPreK. Ask your friends and colleagues to as well.
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