Bucks County Courier Times: No question about it, pre-K helps children succeed
Guest opinion from Bensalem Township School District superintendent David E. Baugh and president of the Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition Nancy Morrill:
“Most professional educators, no matter whether we are public, private, parochial or charter school, believe that expanded investment in early learning is essential, because it helps ensure that every child has the best chance possible for academic and social success. Obviously this has long-term benefits for the country and the child.
Support for high-quality pre-K is reaching a tipping point in Pennsylvania. This is one issue that has bipartisan support in the state Legislature’s 127-member Early Childhood Education Caucus. Think about that!”
Read the full story here.
The Reporter: Study: Two-thirds of Montgomery County preschoolers lack access to high-quality pre-K
“Leaders from the coalition Pre-K for PA released statistics last week saying 12,731 out of 19,320 of Montgomery County’s 3- and 4-year-olds, or 66 percent, do not have access to high-quality pre-K.
The statistics were released as part of an initiative to provide reports on the status of early care for each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.
Montgomery County’s percentage of children without access high-quality early care equals that of Philadelphia, but is less than Bucks and Chester counties, which have 72 and 73 percent without access, respectively.”
Read the full story here.
Delaware County Times: Letter: Pa. needs to invest in its future: Pre-K funding for more kids
Letter to the editor from Upper Darby School District superintendent Richard Dunlap Jr.:
“The good news is that support for high-quality Pre-K is reaching a tipping point in Pennsylvania. This is one issue that has bipartisan support in the state legislature’s 127-member Early Childhood Education Caucus.
However, we have much further to go. Too many three and four-year-old children in Pennsylvania still miss the opportunity to arrive at kindergarten with the same learning skills as their peers.
Just under one in six preschool-age children have access to publicly supported, high-quality Pre-K, leaving behind many families who may have difficulty affording or finding a good preschool for their child.”
Read the full story here.
Citizens’ Call: Coalition Calls for More State Investment in High Quality Pre-K Programs
“There are nearly 70,000 three and four-year-old children in SE PA who cannot enroll in high-quality pre-kindergarten (Pre-K), according to information released this week by the “Pre-K for PA” campaign. Despite the known benefits of Pre-K, public funds provide access to only about one in six eligible children in Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia counties, said the group.
“Every family in PA should have the option of enrolling their child in a high-quality Pre-K program,” said Donna Cooper, Executive Director of Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY), one of the founding partners of the campaign in a press statement. “Investing in these tried and true programs will make sure more of our children are ready for school.””
Read the full story here.
The Alternative Press: Access for All: A Fight for Pre-K for PA
“According to a recent study, 95 percent of children between ages 3 and 4 do not have access to a publicly funded high quality pre-kindergarten program. One organization is striving to change that.
On Wednesday, March 5, a crowd of 40 enthusiastic volunteers for Pre-K for PA, a statewide coalition focused on promoting accessible, high-quality pre-k for all 3- and 4-year-olds in Pennsylvania, gathered at Montgomery County Community College. The group of thoroughly engaged activists met to discuss what Sarah Whetstone called “an important goal.”
The meeting, led Sarah Whetstone, who serves as the director of United Way of North Penn, focused on ways to make the issue of early education a focus in the upcoming Pennsylvania gubernatorial election.”
Read the full story here.
