Advocates for High-Quality Pre-k Honor Rep. Mundy for Career Contributions to Early Childhood Education
Pat Ward (President & CEO, United Way of Greater Hazleton, Inc.), Bill Jones (President & CEO, United Way of Wyoming Valley), Phyllis Mundy and Gary Drapek (President and CEO, United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties). Phyllis Mundy holding an award made by Head Start Children of Luzerne County.
Wilkes-Barre, PA (Oct. 17, 2014) – Retiring state Rep. Phyllis Mundy was recognized today by the statewide, non-partisan Pre-K for PA campaign for her years of dedicated work to increase state investments in early learning programs.
Mundy was honored at a reception this morning hosted by the Pre-K for PA campaign and some of its local supporting partners, including the United Way of Wyoming Valley and the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne counties.
The Luzerne County lawmaker has been a tireless advocate for early learning investments during her 24-year tenure in the state House of Representatives. Mundy helped start the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s Early Childhood Education Caucus, a bipartisan group of 129 House and Senate members, and serves as co-chair of the caucus.
“Her positive impact in early childhood education cannot be understated and truly will be felt for generations to come,” said Steve Doster, the Pennsylvania state director for Mission: Readiness, an organization of retired military leaders that is one of the founding partners of the Pre-K for PA campaign.
“Pennsylvania’s early learning community has been very fortunate to have Phyllis Mundy in its corner year after year as we worked to increase state investments in high-quality pre-k and other proven programs that prepare children for success,” Doster said.
Along with advocating for increased state investments in pre-k and other early learning programs, Munday has been a leader in calling for high-quality standards in early learning.
Despite the dedicated efforts of Mundy and her legislative colleagues over the years, today only 1 in 6 of Pennsylvania’s 3- and 4-year-olds has access to publicly funded, high-quality pre-k. Increasing Pennsylvania’s investment in high-quality pre-k can increase its proven benefits, including decreased dropout rates, increased graduation rates and college enrollment, and higher lifetime earning potential.
Recent polls show the majority of Pennsylvania voters support increased investments in pre-k, in part because they recognize its long-term benefits to students, schools and communities.
Pre-K for PA is an issue campaign supported by thousands of 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. While the campaign neither endorses nor opposes candidates, it advocates on behalf of this vision for Pennsylvania’s children, schools and communities.
Phylis Mundy speaking at the event.
Pre-K for PA Movement Gaining Momentum
September 30, 2014
A new poll shows that more and more people are supporting voluntary, high quality Pre-K education for all kids in Pennsylvania.
Regardless of political affiliations, people of all backgrounds are showing their support for Pre-K reform in Pennsylvania. Research shows only 28 percent of Erie County three and four year olds have access to publicly-funded Pre-K education but recently, a new poll reveals that more and more people are pushing for voluntary, high-quality Pre-K education for all.
Local Pre-K for PA Co-Chair Ron Dinicola says Pre-K helps kids in their learning cycle. cycle. “If they’re in the circle at the beginning, they will stay in the circle, if they come to kindergarten and they’re outside of the circle, the data shows that they tend to stay outside the circle. We want every child, three/four year old, they don’t get a do-over, we want to make sure they’re ready to learn when they get to kindergarten,” Dinicola said.
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Military Brass Push for More Pre-Kindergarten Access
September 30, 2014
Three retired U.S. Army generals, including Kingston resident Maj. Gen. Joseph Perugino, came to Wilkes-Barre this morning to push for what they argued is a critical national security need: high-quality pre-school programs.
“The current military involves complex technology,” Lt. Gen. Dennis Benchoff said. “We no longer recruit from pool halls and gas stations.” The military looks for high school graduates, he added, yet 72 percent of Pennsylvanians ages 17 to 24 don’t make muster for military enlistment.
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PA has a Fine Model to Follow when Offering Pre-K to More Children
By: Sue Smith, Director or Early Childhood Development, Capital Area Head Start, Susquehanna Twp.
September 27, 2014
“The editorial in Sunday’s Patriot-News makes a strong argument for Pennsylvania’s continued investment in early education and the importance of parent participation. Head Start, although not mentioned in the article, understands the crucial role of parents in their children’s education. In fact, parent participation is a requirement for enrollment in Head Start.”
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Make Pre-K a Priority
September 25, 2014
Pre-K for PA’s mission ought to be a cakewalk. After all, few people don’t support high-quality early education.
And why not?
It’s an investment that provides young children the solid start they need to succeed both academically and socially in school.
That, in turn, increases the likelihood they’ll stay out of trouble, graduate high school and enroll in college or join the military, leading to better career opportunities.
High-quality pre-K programs also boost local economies by eventually producing the skilled workers new businesses need.
That’s why 10 organizations representing education, business, law enforcement and the military earlier this year launched Pre-K for PA, a campaign to ensure every 3- and 4-year-old has access to high-quality pre-K in Pennsylvania.
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