Public News Service: House Bill Shortchanges PA Kids, Education Advocates Say
April 6, 2017 by Andrea Sears
HARRISBURG, Pa. – A budget bill passed by the state House of Representatives on Tuesday falls far short of adequately funding Pre-K and child care, according to early learning advocates.
In his budget proposal, Gov. Tom Wolf calls for a $75 million increase in funding for high quality Pre-K.
But according to Jodi Askins, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children and principal partner of Pre-K for PA,
House Bill 218 would increase that funding by only $25 million.
“And in child care, the House actually cut about $28 million from what the current appropriations are, and the governor had proposed an increase,” she points out.
Wolf had proposed a $35 million increase in child care funding.
Askins says the governor’s proposed expansion of Pre-K would serve more than 8,400 children who are qualified for state funded Pre-K but aren’t getting it.
“Obviously, that is still a far cry from the 113,000 children that are still in need of access, but at least it is a significant step forward,” she states.
The Pre-K for PA campaign is calling for a state investment of about $400 million in Pre-K over the next three to four years.
Askins points out that every dollar invested in high quality Pre-K produces up to $17 in long term savings and benefits, beginning with greater success in school.
“We see increased success in high school graduation, decrease in remediation and juvenile delinquency, and higher rates of individuals who graduate from high school that also then go on to college,” she states.
Pre-K for PA is asking the legislature to include Wolf’s proposed increases for Pre-K and child care in the final budget.
Read the article here.
House Bill 218 Does Not Adequately Invest in Services for PA’s Youngest Citizens
Harrisburg, PA (April 4, 2017) – As the Pennsylvania budget process gets underway today with the House of Representatives approving House Bill 218, the Pre-K for PA campaign issued a statement on the passage of a budget that does not adequately invest in Pennsylvania’s early learning continuum.
House Bill 218 included a $25 million increase to high-quality pre-k ($20 million for Pre-K Counts and $5 million for Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program), which is $50 million less than Governor Wolf’s proposed investment.
House Bill 218 also included deep cuts to other programs that ensure Pennsylvania’s earliest learners are prepared to be successful in school and beyond, including nearly $62 million less than Governor Wolf’s FY 2017-18 proposal for child care, a $28 million cut to the FY 2016-17 budget.
The principal partners of Pre-K for PA issued the following statement regarding the passage of HB 218:
“The budget process is never easy, and it is just getting underway, but today the House approved a budget introduced only yesterday that falls far short of what could be considered an adequate investment in services to our youngest citizens. Pennsylvania delivers high-quality, publicly-funded pre-k to many children, but nearly 113,000 remain unserved and a serious investment must be made to continue toward the goal of providing access to all at-risk kids.
“Pre-k doesn’t just benefit the children fortunate enough to access a high-quality program, it benefits the entire commonwealth. Research shows that every dollar invested in high-quality pre-k returns up to $17 in long-term savings and benefits through reduced costs to our schools and society, stronger earnings potential in our workforce and increased tax revenues supporting a more robust economy.
“A strong pre-k system is dependent on an appropriately financed child care system and this proposal will continue to undermine child care financing in our state. This lack of adequate funding undermines the continuum of high-quality early learning in Pennsylvania. The stronger the investment in high-quality early learning – including pre-k, child care and home visiting – the greater the return – for our children and our commonwealth.
“We urge legislators to continue investing in early learning for the sake of young children and our commonwealth and support a FY 2017-18 state budget that includes an increase of $75 million for pre-k, a $35 million increase in funding for child care and a $9 million increase in home visiting services.”
Community-Based Family Center and Nurse-Family Partnerships appropriations were also cut from the current fiscal year and HB 218 fails to include Governor Wolf’s proposed $9 million allocation for evidence-based home visiting to expand the reach of these and other similar programs.
Currently in Pennsylvania, there are more than 112,900 eligible preschool children, or 64 percent statewide, who qualify for high-quality, publicly funded pre-k but remain unserved. Governor Wolf’s budget proposal included $65 million in additional funding for the state’s Pre-K Counts program and an additional $10 million for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program. This $75 million expansion would serve more than 8,400 additional young children.
Pre-K for PA is an issue campaign supported by individuals and organizations across Pennsylvania who believe that investing in our children is the right choice and an urgent necessity. Its vision is that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania will have access to high-quality pre-k. For more information visit www.prekforpa.org.
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Tribune-Democrat: Quality pre-k education key to future workforce
By Mike Artim March 19. 2017
As the new president and CEO of Greater Johnstown/County Cambria Chamber of Commerce, one of the issues I hear about from local businesses is how they struggle to find workers to meet their needs.
And our region isn’t alone.
A report from Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry found that more than half of Pennsylvania employers report difficulty finding employees with adequate skills, training or education, especially in technical fields.
So what can we do to fix this?
Efforts to engage young talent in STEM fields during the K-12 years certainly matter, but a recent report from ReadyNation points to the growing body of research showing that front-end investments in high-quality early childhood education truly plant the seeds of STEM learning.
For example, knowledge of math in preschool and kindergarten is a powerful predictor of later school success, not just in math but also in reading and overall achievement. Children with persistent math problems at ages 6, 8 and 10 are less likely to graduate from high school or attend college.
Unfortunately, across Pennsylvania, 112,900 3- and 4-year-olds who qualify for publicly funded, high-quality prekindergarten are not served. That’s more than 64 percent of eligible children, according to “A Path Forward: Publicly Funded High-Quality Pre-K in Pennsylvania,” from Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children.
Here in Cambria County, the number of eligible children not enrolled in publicly funded, high-quality prekindergarten could fill 53 classrooms.
The unmet need, here and statewide, is fueling a campaign called Pre-K for PA. This campaign has united a wide array of voices calling for greater access to pre-K including United Way, mayors, pediatricians, chamber of commerce leaders, prominent athletes, military and law enforcement leaders and, most importantly, parents of young children.
All these people from varied spheres agree that investments in high-quality prekindergarten make a difference in the lives of children. Further research reveals that children from high-quality prekindergarten are:
• More likely to advance grades in school and have improved social skills.
• Less likely to need special education placements.
• More likely to graduate from high school and enroll in college, increasing their employment possibilities and lifetime earning potential.
• Less likely to commit crimes later in life.
For our communities, the need for less special education and criminal justice intervention saves taxpayer money.
Plus, our workforce and economy are strengthened with educated people equipped with the communications and teamwork skills that employers value.
In fact, every dollar invested returns $17 in long-term savings and benefits.
Currently being considered as part of next year’s state budget is an additional $75 million that would provide pre-K services to 8,400 more children.
Few investments promise such high, proven returns as quality early childhood education.
This must continue to be a priority for Pennsylvania.
Mike Artim is president and CEO of Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Chamber of Commerce and serves as a member of ReadyNation.
Read the op-ed here.
Sunbury Daily Item: Culver honored for dedication to early childhood education
By: Justin Strawser March 29, 2017
SUNBURY — State Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver started reading to the children at the Sunbury Children Center on Tuesday morning, but it didn’t take long for the students to hop on her lap or help the state legislator of the 108th District with the words.
The same morning at the center, Pre-K for PA presented Culver with a 2017 Pre-K Champion award for her strong commitment and ongoing support of expanded investments in early childhood education across the Commonwealth. Bruce Clash, the state director of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, representing the Pre-K for PA campaign, presented the award to Culver.
“Honestly, this is an honor,” said Culver, also a member of the United Way Early Learning Investment Committee (ELIC) member. “It’s such a good cause. It’s huge.”
Following the presentation, Culver read three books — “Daniel Finds a Poem,” “Chicken Little” and “Pete the Cat” — to at least a dozen children plus their teachers, parents and those who joined Culver in the presentation. The students eagerly listened, joined in on certain parts and asked the legislator questions that she happily answered.
“I like the fact that I’m learning from the children hopefully just as much as they’re learning from me reading these book to them,” Culver said. “That’s what it’s all about.”
Clash was joined in presenting the award by Joanne Troutman, president and CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way; United Way ELIC members Norman Rich and Art Thomas; and Patty Edwards, program manager of Northumberland County Head Start.
Pre-K For PA estimates that 84 percent of eligible 3- and 4-year-olds in the 108th district lack access to state-funded, high quality pre-k programs. To satisfy the need, 54 additional classrooms would be needed to serve more than 1,000 more kids every year. Currently throughout Pennsylvania, nearly 113,000 eligible pre-school children — or 64 percent statewide — remain unserved.
“Research is clear that pre-k can make a difference,” said Troutman. “It can reduce grade repetition, special education placements, drop out rates, and ultimately help our school districts, region and the entire state save money. That’s precisely why the United Way has been such a strong supporter of more kids having access to high quality pre-k.”
Gov. Wolf’s budget proposal for the upcoming 2017-18 fiscal year includes $65 million in additional funding for the state’s Pre-K Counts program and an additional $10 million for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program. This $75 million expansion would serve approximately 8,400 additional children, according to Clash.
“These are the most at-risk kids in the community,” Edwards said. “They deserve to be on a level playing field.”
Thomas said the fight to bring early education to communities is real.
“Until early learning becomes part of the public school system, we will have an uphill battle,” Thomas said.
Read the article here.
Pre-k Students Thank Governor Wolf for $75 Million Increase for
Early Childhood Education in 2017-18 Budget
Harrisburg, PA (February 14, 2017) – Today, Governor Wolf was joined by members of the Pre-K for PA Campaign to discuss his early childhood education investments and was presented with Valentine’s Day cards from pre-kindergarten students as a sign of gratitude for his dedication to education. Over the past two years, Governor Wolf has made a new way for Pennsylvania. Instead of allowing schools to become the first casualty of our budget deficit, Governor Wolf has made them our first priority. In just three years, Governor Wolf will have increased funding by nearly two-thirds of those short-sighted cuts to our public school system.
“These children, and thousands of young people like them across the state, are counting on us in Harrisburg to have their backs – and to ensure that high-quality pre-kindergarten programs are available to them, in their communities,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “Last week, I proposed a budget that invests an additional $75 million in high-quality early childhood education programs which will allow for more than 8,400 additional children to enroll in Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program. When children are given this right – and have the support they need – all our lives are enriched.”
The Principal Partners of the Pre-K for PA organization lauded Governor Wolf for his commitment to expanding access to high-quality pre-k to more Pennsylvania three- and four-year-olds: “The Pre-K for PA Campaign is grateful that Governor Wolf is standing up for kids in his 2017-18 budget proposal. Serving more kids with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will reap strong cost savings in the future in the form of less public spending on special education, social welfare programs, and crime.”
Studies show that children who participate in high-quality pre-kindergarten perform better in school, graduate at higher rates and earn more throughout their working lives compared to peers that do not have access to early learning programs. Additionally, children who were previously enrolled in Pre-K Counts outperform their economically disadvantaged peers in third-grade math and reading.
Fair and increased education funding for all Pennsylvania schools continues to be one of Governor Wolf’s top priorities to ensure students are college and career ready.
The future of Pennsylvania depends on making investments in what matters most. In this year’s budget, Governor Wolf is proposing an additional $209 million increase in education funding. Our commonwealth is facing a serious budget deficit, but by reducing government bureaucracy and finding cost-savings, we can continue to invest in our children’s futures so we can make Pennsylvania stronger.
Pre-K for PA is an issue campaign supported by individuals and organizations across Pennsylvania who believe that investing in our children is the right choice and an urgent necessity. Its vision is that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania will have access to high-quality pre-k. For more information visit www.prekforpa.org.
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Pre-K, Early Learning Advocates Urge Bi-partisan Support of 2017-18 Investment Proposal
Executive Leaders Laud Gov. Wolf’s Commitment to High-Quality Pre-K
HARRISBURG (Feb. 7, 2017)— The Pre-K for PA campaign lauded Gov. Tom Wolf’s continued commitment to expanding access to high-quality pre-k in Pennsylvania after he announced a $75 million expansion as part of his 2017-18 budget address today.
The principal partners of Pre-K for PA issued the following statement regarding this budget proposal:
“Governor Wolf, along with a large majority of legislators from both sides of the aisle, understands that continued investment in high-quality pre-k programs is an effective long-term strategy to ensure that our next generation is ready to succeed. We are gratified that he is standing up for kids in his 2017-18 budget proposal. Serving more kids with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will reap strong cost savings in the future in the form of less public spending on special education, social welfare programs and crime.
“Pre-K for PA has united a diverse collection of stakeholders across the commonwealth that are urging the governor and legislature to come together behind a budget agreement that generates enough revenue to balance the budget and makes this investment in pre-k – making 2017 the Year of the Child.”
Governor Wolf’s budget proposal included $65 million in additional funding for the state’s Pre-K Counts program and an additional $10 million for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program. This $75 million expansion would serve more than 8,400 additional young children. Currently more than 112,000 eligible three- and four-year-olds do not have access to high-quality publicly funded pre-k programs.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following quotes are offered by members of the Pre-K for PA Executive Leadership Council. This executive-level group includes the commonwealth’s top leaders across business, civic, education, law enforcement and even national security sectors in regions across the state.
Joe Meterchick, Regional President for Philadelphia, Delaware and Southern New Jersey, PNC Bank
“Access to high-quality pre-kindergarten is a fundamental building block of our state’s education system and helps ensure children have the strong foundation necessary to enter kindergarten ready to succeed. As we collectively look toward our future, we encourage Pennsylvania lawmakers to prioritize a commitment to pre-k as an investment in our commonwealth.”
Nick Scott Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Scott Enterprises
“There is overwhelming evidence that when education investment begins early it helps to close the achievement gap before it is too wide and expensive to overcome. Access to quality pre-k means that children are better prepared for future learning opportunities, less likely to need special education and remedial instruction, and more likely to graduate from high school and become a valued member of the workforce. Private funding can only fill the gap so much, and I applaud legislators and Governor Wolf for prioritizing pre-k in the 2017-18 budget.”
Peter P. Brubaker, President, Hammer Creek Enterprises LLC; Commissioner PA Early Learning
Investment Commission
“When it comes to making difficult budget decisions, our leaders in Harrisburg have demonstrated bipartisan support for continued investment in high-quality pre-k programs. In the past two budget cycles, Republicans and Democrats have prioritized pre-k and provided access for more than 6,000 young children. Governor Wolf has proposed $75 million in incremental funding to serve an additional 8,400 children in 2017. I strongly encourage our leaders in the State House and Senate to support the governor’s early childhood budget and to keep the pre-k momentum going.”
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Pre-K for PA is an issue campaign supported by individuals and organizations across Pennsylvania who believe that investing in our children is the right choice and an urgent necessity. Our vision is to ensure that all children can enter school ready to succeed by making high-quality pre-k accessible to every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania. For more information www.prekforpa.org.
