MetroKids: The Pre-K for PA Campaign
MetroKids: The Pre-K for PA Campaign
When Tonja Claxton’s daughter started Kindergarten this past school year, she was well prepared. After attending a state-funded preK program for two years, school was nothing new.
“I’m thankful that my child was exposed to an amazing curriculum in pre-Kindergarten,” says the Philadelphia mom, who says she could not have afforded preschool without financial assistance. “As a low-income parent and single mother, I knew that early childhood education was important, and I noticed a difference between my child’s development with a supportive system and without.”
Because Claxton believes that every child, regardless of family income, should have that same advantage, she now advocates for early childhood education as a volunteer for Pre-K for PA.
Citizens’ Call: Cheltenham Schools Superintendent, Other Education Leaders, Assert Pre-K Priority
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.”
GoErie.com: Erie County Council expected to call for pre-K funding
GoErie.com: Erie County Council expected to call for pre-K funding
by Kevin Flowers
Erie County Council is poised to show its support for a new statewide early childhood education plan.
Councilmen Phil Fatica and Andre Horton have co-sponsored a resolution on council’s Tuesday meeting agenda that asks the state Legislature to increase funding for pre-K programs across Pennsylvania as part of the Pre-K for PA campaign.
Former Pennsylvania Govs. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, and Mark Schweiker, a Republican, visited Erie last week in support of the initiative, which seeks expanded access to pre-K programs for children.
Read the full story on GoErie.com.
Philadelphianeighborhoods.com: Data Shows Lack of Quality Pre-K Childcare
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.
ABC Erie Jet 24 Action News: Former Govs Show Support for Pre-K Expansion
ABC Erie Jet 24 Action News: Former Govs Show Support for Pre-K Expansion
Former Governors Ed Rendell and Mark Schweiker spoke to local educators, elected leaders, and community members about a need for universal pre-k education in Pennsylvania. This morning a Pre-K for Pa. rally focused on why support for early education is so important. Campaign officials told us that it’s been proven that pre-k education can change lives and the community.
Ron Dinacola, Pre-K for Pa. NWPA campaign co-chair said this about the effort “if we invest in three and four year old universal education, we’re gonna have a multiplier effect of savings in special education, grad repetition, literacy problems, dropouts…with more students going on to college and with more students becoming responsible earners.” Campaign officials also told us this is just the beginning of the push for pre-k. And that more rallies, meetings, and forums will be taking place in the near future.
Video at the source.
