Too many families face the painful choice between paying their bills and providing their child an early education.
This week, Pre-K for PA introduces a new report laying out options for our elected leaders to solve this problem.
Kevin is a dad from Chester County who could not manage the cost of sending his son to a good-quality pre-k. Now, his 6-year-old has had trouble socializing and getting used to the kindergarten classroom environment. He firmly believes that his son missed out on valuable learning and growing opportunities that could have better prepared him for school.
In Pittsburgh, Walter struggled but made it work for his daughter. “There are very few high-quality, public preschools available in Pittsburgh,” he described to Pre-K for PA. “We had to put her in a private preschool, which costs us $500 per month. Although we did get financial aid, it has been a struggle to pay this amount every month. Fortunately, it is a NAEYC-accredited school and we all love it. My daughter loves going to school.”
High-quality pre-k is out of reach for too many of Pennsylvania’s families.
New Pre-K for PA Report: Financing Access to High-Quality Pre-k
In a single year, nearly a quarter-million Pennsylvania children are left without the opportunity to benefit from high-quality, publicly funded pre-k. To learn how Pennsylvania can close its early learning gap, read “Financing Access to High-Quality Pre-k,” our third and final issue brief in a recent series.
Kevin’s second child is now 1-year-old. Let’s make sure that as she approaches kindergarten, a stronger system is in place for our families, schools and communities to thrive.
Let’s make high-quality pre-k a priority during these final days leading to Election Day. Ask your friends to sign our petition at www.prekforpa.org/join. To go further, download our new “Take Action from Home” toolkit.
Thanks for everything you do for Pennsylvania’s children.
– The Pre-K for PA team
Share the “Out of Reach” graphic on Facebook or Twitter.
YourErie: Pre-K for PA Day in City of Erie
Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott has proclaimed August 8th as Pre-K for PA Day in the City of Erie.
The proclamation took place at the Seawolves game at Jerry Uht Park.
The goal of the bipartisan campaign is to raise support for universal pre-k for three and four year old children in the commonwealth.
Full story here.
We’re making high-quality pre-k a top priority in the 2014 election — with your help. Thanks for taking action from home.
On this page, download resources to recruit your personal contacts to sign the Pre-K for PA petition:
SAMPLE EMAIL TO FRIENDS
Feel free to edit this email with your own personal touch.
Dear _____,
We’re getting close to Election Day in Pennsylvania — November 4.
I am asking you to take a simple online action to help the young children and families in our commonwealth. Sign the petition to ensure that all 3- and 4-year-olds can access high-quality pre-kindergarten at www.prekforpa.org/join.
Pre-K for PA has put together an impressive statewide coalition to champion this cause. We need to make sure that all children have a chance at entering kindergarten ready to succeed. Many parents want their kids to have access to the kind of rich environments found at a good preschool, but right now only 1 in 6 children are able to access high-quality pre-k with public funds.
We want to make sure that the next Governor and General Assembly — no matter who is elected — makes our kids a priority. You can help make that possible by signing Pre-K for PA’s petition at www.prekforpa.org/join.
AND… Pre-K for PA has all kinds of graphics to spruce up your Facebook and Twitter feeds. After you sign the petition, visit www.prekforpa.org/share and pick a graphic to share on social media. I’ve copied one of my favorites below.
Your friend,
_______________
The Mercury Letters: Pre-K education is needed throughout Pennsylvania
As an early childhood educator, I know that we have only one chance to prepare our children for their future education and their future success. I see firsthand every day how children who attend preschool programs dedicated to high quality are introduced to and practice crucial life skills that serve as a foundation for academic learning in school.
Preschool programs dedicated to providing high-quality early education understand that there are many foundational skills that children need in order to be successful in school and life.
Read more at the source.
Pre-K for PA releases its third issue brief in a series to guide policy makers on how Pennsylvania can expand access to high-quality pre-kindergarten for all 3- and 4-year-olds.
Read the new issue brief: Financing Access to High-Quality Pre-K (PDF)
| Is Pre-k Out of Reach? (Facebook)
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Is Pre-k Out of Reach? (Twitter)
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The Morning Call: Pre-K programs help prepare next generation
I read with interest Lee Butz’s recent Your View (“Increased funding for preschool education a wise investment”) about the impact that pre-kindergarten programs can have on young learners.
As a retired rear admiral of the Coast Guard, I know firsthand just how difficult it is to find qualified men and women to fill the ranks.
A recent Wall Street Journal article reported that the “Defense Department estimates that 71 percent of the roughly 34 million 17- to 24-year-olds in the U.S. would fail to qualify to enlist in the military if they tried.” This level of ineligibility has obvious consequences for our armed services and civilian employers alike.
The documented impact of early education is impressive, and I am encouraged by the actions of local businesses to expand access to these services through the preschool scholarship program.
Read more.
