WESA: Pittsburgh Joins Statewide Effort to Make Quality Pre-K Available to All Families
“Quality pre-K programs can help kids later in school, both academically and socially. But many families can’t afford to send their children to pre-school, and government funding for early childhood programs has decreased in recent years.
A statewide effort was launched Thursday to ensure all three- and four-year-olds have access to quality pre-K programs. Michelle Figlar is executive director of the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children, or PAEYC. She said research has shown children who have access to strong pre-K programs do better overall in school.
“Research also shows that high quality pre-K reduced grade retention and costs related to special education. Children who participate in high-quality pre-K are more likely to graduate from high school, enroll in higher education and have increased lifetime earnings,” Figlar said.”
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The Jewish Chronicle: Statewide campaign to raise pre-K awareness kicks off at JCC
“With too few Pennsylvania children enrolled in pre-K education programs, a statewide campaign was launched Thursday to trumpet the need for such schooling.
In Pittsburgh, a press conference was held at the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill for Pre-K for PA, a statewide coalition of nonprofit organizations whose goal is to bring quality pre-K education to as many Pennsylvania 3- and 4-year-olds as possible while identifying necessary funding sources.
Jewish leaders, as well as Pittsburgh Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak and Curtiss E. Porter, who represented Mayor Bill Peduto, spoke at the conference.”
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Go Lackawanna: Pitch made for more pre-k funds
“Armed with a new initiative called “Pre-K for PA,” leaders at Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, a Harrisburg lobbying organization, want to bring legislators to the table to prioritize funding for early-learning education.
More than a dozen non-profit education groups are collaborating to develop the Pre-K for PA program.
Fewer than 20 percent of the state’s 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds have access to high-quality programs, said the organization’s president and CEO Joan Benso. Through Pre-K for PA, the organization hopes to see every child have access to some kind of high-quality early-learning program.
While Luzerne, Lackawanna and Wyoming counties may not be short on preschool centers, the learning component is missing, Hildebrandt Learning Centers CEO William Grant said.”
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The Times Herald: Pre-K For PA campaign to launch Thursday
“A new coalition pushing for more pre-kindergarten schools across Pennsylvania is scheduled to launch Thursday, Jan. 23.
“Pre-K for PA: All Children Ready to Succeed” is scheduled to host a press conference at 1:30 p.m. at the Karabots Primary Care Center at 48th and Market Streets in Philadelphia.
Speakers will discuss the importance of bringing pre-kindergarten schools to every child in Pennsylvania.
Scheduled speakers include CEO of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Steven M. Altschuler, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Jill Michal, Superintendent of the Upper Darby School District Richard F. Dunlap, District Attorney of Philadelphia Seth Williams, District Attorney of Montgomery County Risa Vetri Ferman, and Director of Early Childhood Education and Care with the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA Lola Rooney.”
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