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The American Prospect: The Politics of Pre-K

The American Prospect: The Politics of Pre-K

The Politics of Pre-K: How A Program Known to Help Poor Mothers Could Doom Your Candidacy

Rachel M. Cohen

September 22, 2014

When the emphasis is kept on how it’s good for business, early-childhood education is popular. Just don’t call it childcare. 

In Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial race, education has emerged as one of the most heated issues. A Quinnipiac University poll released this month found education ranked as the most important issue for voters, after jobs and the economy. Despite contentious politics surrounding reform of public education from kindergarten through twelfth grade, Republican incumbent Tom Corbett and Democratic challenger Tom Wolf have discovered that plugging expansion of pre-kindergarten programs wins them political points without treading into treacherous waters. That is, as long as they don’t mention the mothers who will inevitably benefit, too.

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The American Prospect: The Politics of Pre-K

CBS 3 News: Kids Help Grownups Make A Point About Preschools in Philadelphia

Kids Help Grownups Make a Point About Preschools in Philadelphia

By Mike DeNardo
September 16, 2014

A few hundred young children gathered this morning in Franklin Square, to help adults send a message about preschool funding.

Kids sang and danced as the grownups pushed for funding for quality pre-kindergarten programs.

The event was organized by Pre-K for PA, a campaign endorsing increased state investment in preschool teachers and facilities.

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The American Prospect: The Politics of Pre-K

Al Dia News: Pre-schoolers Rally for Early Education in Philadelphia

Pre-schoolers Rally for Early Education in Philadelphia

By Christine Killion
September 16, 2014

“Dozens of pre-schools and daycare centers came together on Tuesday to sing, dance, draw and rally in Franklin Square Park as part of the Pre-K for PA campaign to influence voters and elected officials to prioritize accessible early education for Pennsylvania’s 3 and 4 year olds.”

“We know that students, children, who have access to high-quality pre-k do better in school,” Philadelphia Superintendent William Hite said. “We also know that students who have access to high-quality pre-k learn to read by the time they’re in third grade. We also know that children who have access to high-quality pre-k get to graduation from high school.”

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Lea en Español

Representantes de centros de educación preescolar y guarderías llevaron a cabo una movilización el 16 de septiembre en la que los más pequeños cantaron, bailaron y alzaron la voz en Franklin Square Park parte instar a los electores de Filadelfia a hacer de la educación temprana una prioridad a la hora de votar.

La movilización formó parte de la campaña “Pre-K for PA” que promueve el acceso a la educación temprana para los pequeños de 3 y 4 años de edad.

“Sabemos que a los niños y estudiantes que tienen acceso a una educación preescolar de calidad les va mejor en la escuela, aprenden a leer para el tercer grado, y se gradúan de high school”, dijo el superintendente William Hite.

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The American Prospect: The Politics of Pre-K

The Times-Tribunes Letter to the Editor: Invest in Kids

Invest in Kids

By Ann M. Lynady, Program Director SLHDA Head Start

August 20th, 2011

As the director of an early childhood program at the Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency Head Start, I can attest to the benefits early learning has on our youngest citizens, who will grow up to be our region’s next leaders.

I have seen children come into our program who already are behind their peers at the age of just 3 or 4. These children often face challenges that are beyond their control and lack the resources needed to gain ground during this critical time in their development.

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