Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Coalition pushes state for more pre-school funding
“In a state where many children do not have access to quality pre-kindergarten programs, a statewide campaign is aimed at changing that.
The Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children today announced the campaign called PreK for PA at a news conference at the Jewish Community Center, which offers a preschool program in Squirrel Hill. Announcements also were made by partners throughout the state.
The campaign plans to engage business and civic leaders, educators and parents to “create the public will” for the state to provide resources “so that every parent can enroll their child in affordable, high-quality preK,” according to the news release.”
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WHYY: Statewide coalition unveils ‘Pre-K for PA’ campaign
“In 2014, the Pre-K for PA broad-based coalition of organizations from across the state plans to campaign heavily in support of providing access to high-quality pre-kindergarten for all of Pennsylvania’s three- and four-year-old children.
Those efforts kicked off Thursday at a launch event at Karabots Pediatric Care Center in West Philadelphia.
It generated enthusiastic support from a wide range of stakeholders including educators, law-enforcement representatives, healthcare providers, parents, children and non-profit organizations.”
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Sunbury Daily Item: Pennsylvania Head Start Programs Embrace New Campaign
“The Pennsylvania Head Start Association is part of the coalition kicking off the Pre K for PA Campaign.
Head Start programs provide high quality Pre K to over 31,000 children and their families in Pennsylvania. Every year Head Start programs have to turn away thousands of families and their deserving children. Some programs have waiting lists of over 500 children. Every day Head Start programs see the need for substantial increases in funding for Pre K in Pennsylvania.”
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Beaver County Times: Education coalition launches ‘Pre-K for PA’ campaign
“A coalition of education advocacy groups launched a statewide campaign Thursday to ensure every young Pennsylvanian has the opportunity to attend a strong preschool program.”
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WTAJ TV: Support Growing for Pre-K Education
“In the former Washington Jefferson Elementary school building, classrooms are now filled with energetic three and four year olds who are getting some early exposure to public education. The people in charge of the Altoona Area School districts learning express say these very young students take valuable lessons away from their morning or afternoon programs.
“It prepares them to be successful kindergarten students and successful students throughout their life in school. Here in pre- school they learn they can leave their family home and leave their mother and come away for a while and get back to their home, their guardian their family and be safe about it.”
Supporters of the campaign for expanded Pre-K access say only about twenty percent of Pennsylvania three and four year olds currently have access to high quality pre – k programs. That’s why they are pushing to expand existing efforts like those offered through “Begin With Us” pre school.”
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