Citizens’ Call: Cheltenham Schools Superintendent, Other Education Leaders, Assert Pre-K Priority
PA’s grassroots advocacy campaign for a statewide program of quality pre-kindergarten education services recently won the endorsement of Cheltenham Superintendent Natalie Thomas. Pre-K for PA, which aims to be a bullhorn for the notion that every three and four-year-old in the state should have an open door to an education program of high standards, has gained the support of more than two dozen PA school superintendents, including Thomas, who signed an open letter calling for state investment in high-quality pre-k.
“Considering all of the benefits of quality early learning opportunities – particularly when it comes to preparation for school – ensuring access to high-quality pre-k for all children should be a state budget policy priority,” said Thomas. “As I see day in and day out, if all children have the same chance to attend a quality early learning program, we can ensure they will be ready for kindergarten, future academic achievement and lifelong success.”
Read the full story at the website.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Northwest PA Contact: Kate Phillips: (215) 850-4647
Erie School Board Passes Resolution in Support of Pre-K for PA, Calls on Leaders in Harrisburg to Fund Early Learning
NWPA Campaign Co-chairs Encourage County School Districts to Pass Similar Resolutions
Erie, PA (June, 25, 2014) – The Erie School Board today passed a resolution in support of Pre-K for PA. The resolution recognizes the value of early learning and calls on leaders in Harrisburg to fund Pre-K for all Pennsylvania children. Pre-K for PA is an issue campaign supported by individuals and organizations across Pennsylvania advocating for access to high quality pre-K for all three and four-year-olds.
“We are joining other school boards across the state to rally state officials around an investment in early learning, ” said resolution sponsor and School Board Director Bob Casillo. “There is overwhelming evidence and educators will attest that investing in quality pre-k can cut special education placements by nearly half through 2nd grade and reduce grade repetition by as much as a third through 8th grade – significantly reducing the costs associated with remediation and special education for school districts.
NWPA campaign co-chairs Nick Scott, Jr. and Ron DiNicola commended the Erie school board for their support of Pre-K for PA.
“Investing in early childhood learning is an investment in Erie’s future,” said co-chair Nick Scott, Jr. “This resolution affirms that the Erie School District recognizes the importance of that and we are thrilled that they are taking a distinct leadership role in advocating for access to quality early learning for all kids.”
“School boards and administrators play a crucial role in influencing legislators in Harrisburg who we are beginning to recognize the building chorus of support for investment in Pre-K, said co-chair Ronald A. DiNicola. “We encourage School Boards across the region to pass similar resolutions.”
Our vision is that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania will have access to high quality pre-k. We will not endorse nor oppose candidates, but rather we will advocate on behalf of this vision for Pennsylvania’s children, schools and communities.
The Notebook: A push to expand pre-K in Pennsylvania
Ann Ward worked as an early childhood educator at Friends School Haverford for 20 years and knows how important it is for children to develop their creativity and talents early.
But she also knows that not all children have this opportunity.
“What if all people knew that they could wake up in the morning and be assured that their child would be in a program that was meeting all of his or her developmental needs?” she said. “Just think of the sense of well-being and peace that people could have in a community when children are taken care of.”
This vision is what led Ward to become an active volunteer for Pre-K for PA, a statewide coalition formed to expand access to early education for all families, especially those most in need.
Read more at the source.
by Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children:
Across the commonwealth this month, Pennsylvania’s high school seniors are proudly donning caps and gowns and standing with their classmates and teachers as they accept their diplomas – a huge accomplishment.
We know (thanks to volumes of research) that high-quality pre-k is a solid foundation for a great education. High-quality pre-k greatly increases the likelihood of high school graduation and college enrollment, in turn leading to stronger employment opportunities and increased lifetime earning potential.
That’s why the work we are doing as part of the statewide, non-partisan Pre-K for PA campaign is so important.
We are proud of the commonwealth’s high school graduates and equally proud of the support people like you are showing in the effort to increase access to high-quality pre-k for every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania. With your support, we can help ensure Pennsylvania will have many more high school graduates to celebrate in the future – graduates that benefitted from high-quality-pre-k.
If you know someone who hasn’t already signed on as a supporter of the Pre-K for PA campaign, please forward this message to them.
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Philadelphianeighborhoods.com: Data Shows Lack of Quality Pre-K Childcare
Data released in March suggests residents in South Philadelphia west of Broad Street severely lack access to quality pre-kindergarten care.
Of the 114 certified childcare facilities in the area, just eight rated high-quality by Keystone STARS, an initiative of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning. Keystone Stars rates childcare programs on a scale of one to four stars, with three and four star programs considered high-quality.
Those eight high-quality programs only have about 800 slots though, leaving a significant shortage of quality care. Forty-three percent of childcare facilities in the area either rated at zero stars or were not certified altogether.
Read the full story on Philadelphianeighborhoods.com.
