Philadelphia Business Journal: EXCLUSIVE: Report shows investments in pre-k pay big economic dividends
“For every $1 invested in high-quality pre-kindergarten education, Pennsylvania’s economy would see a $1.79 return.
To put that number into perspective, the same investment in major sectors such as manufacturing, retail trade and wholesale trade, bring in less of a return ($1.68, $1.77 and $1.75, respectively).
That’s according to a new report from Ready Nation/America’s Edge, a national organization that aims to strengthen business through better policies for children. The analysis shows that access to high-quality preschool has both short-term and long-term economic benefits.
And, these aren’t dollars that just stay in early childhood sectors, Steven Wray, executive director of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, said. “These dollars get spent throughout the entire economy.””
Read the full story here.
Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon officials: lnvesting in early education can cut crime
“One of the best ways to fight crime is through early education.
Unfortunately, sufficient funding for those programs is lacking.
Those were the messages delivered Wednesday morning at Lebanon’s Southeast Elementary School by Steve Doster, deputy director of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids PA.
Doster, whose organization boasts a membership of 5,000 law enforcement officials nationwide, was at Southeast to lobby Sen. Mike Folmer and Rep. Mauree Gingrich for more early childhood education funding, especially for children living in impoverished households.”
Read the full story here.
The Philadelphia Inquirer: Pa. Treasurer McCord sells himself as governor material
“Rob McCord looked like he’d been dropped into that ubiquitous cellphone commercial, seated in an undersized chair at a too-tiny table in a Philadelphia classroom.
But McCord wasn’t tossing out inane questions to toddlers. His topic during the visit Wednesday to an early-childhood center near Chinatown was deadly serious: how to keep children – particularly those from struggling families – in school and out of jail.
McCord, state treasurer since 2009, was on hand to make his case that if elected governor he would triple the amount the state spends on its youngest students.
“If we put $220 million more in early-childhood education, we save $3 billion in costs associated with high school dropouts,” McCord told members of the Pre-K for PA Coalition at the center, Children’s Village. “Talk about an investment that pays for itself.””
Read the full story here.
Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: Schwartz talks education in class visit
“Schwartz said she is concerned about those left behind. She said pre-school programs are vital not just for academics, but also that they also help children with social skills and overall health care.
“Research shows that if children get a good start, they do better in life,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz said if she were elected governor, she would reinstate the reimbursements for full-day kindergarten. She said teachers have told her that full-time kindergarten students do far better in school.
“And that’s why pre-school programs, like Head Start, are enormously important,” Schwartz said.”
Read the full story here.
Newsworks: McCord wants to nearly triple Pa. spending on early education
“Fewer than 20 percent of all 3- and 4-year-olds in Pennsylvania have access to publicly-funded pre-K programs.
If elected, McCord wants to add $220 million to the state’s early childhood education budget during his first year in office, nearly tripling current state spending.
The funding boost would come courtesy of a 10 percent severance tax on companies drilling for natural gas in the state.”
Read the full story here.
