The Budget passed by the House last week was passed in the Senate today. Unfortunately, the level of pre-k funding it includes for fiscal 2015-16 does not go far enough to expand access to high-quality pre-k urgently needed for Pennsylvania’s families.
While we at the Pre-K for PA campaign are very heartened that House and Senate leaders boosted pre-k funding considerably and we recognize the actions are the first step in the budget process, the budget falls short of the enormity of the need to make sure children start school ready to learn.
With fewer than 20 percent of Pennsylvania’s 3- and 4-year-olds able to access publicly funded, high-quality pre-k programs, the pace of expansion must be hastened. At a minimum, the fiscal 2015-16 investment should be $120 million.
Your continued support is so valuable as we reach out to the governor and all legislators to work with them toward reaching a final budget agreement that makes the level of investment in pre-k that we all know is needed.
This weekend the PA House of Representatives is expected to pass a 2015-2016 state budget that authorizes no new taxes yet grows funding for high-quality pre-k by $30 million, which would provide access to approximately 3,500 more children. The $30 million investment is significantly less than the $120 million proposed by the Administration that would serve approximately 14,000 additional children.
The Pennsylvania Senate will vote on this measure early next week and send it to the Governor’s desk where a veto is expected. This will set up a budget standoff for early July where your voice will be critical in advocacy efforts to help ensure greater funding for high-quality pre-k access in a final state budget.
The Pre-K for PA campaign and its partners are leading the charge in Harrisburg on behalf of the Commonwealth’s youngest learners. Please check for emails from Pre-K for PA and visit the website next week for the most up-to-date information on how you can lend support.
Report Shows Young Pennsylvanians Not Prepared to Serve in Military
Retired Generals Call for Better Access to High-Quality Pre-K
Erie, PA (May 28, 2015)—Major General (Ret.) Michael E. Dunlavey – a member of Mission: Readiness – Military Leaders for Kids, a national nonprofit organization of more than 500 retired generals and admirals touted the need to expand Pre-K as part of an effort to better prepare our workforce, particularly in the armed services. The regional legislative breakfast featured State Legislators, local business and community leaders who are working together to advocate for expanded access to Pre-K for the thousands of un-served kids in Erie County.
Dunlavey released the new report calling for better access to high quality pre-kindergarten for the sake of future national security. The new report documented how high-quality pre-kindergarten can help children succeed in school, stay physically fit, and avoid criminal involvement, opening the doors to college, careers and the military for those who choose to serve.
Major General Dunlavey, a former Erie County Judge, cited new Pentagon data that 72 percent of young Pennsylvanians are unable to serve in the military for three primary reasons: they are too poorly educated, they are physically unfit, or they have a criminal record. He emphasized research included in the report that quality pre-kindergarten experiences enable children to build the pre-math, pre-literacy and social skills that are vital to academic success when they begin school, making it less likely they will fall behind or eventually drop out.
“This high level of ineligibility among our youth is unacceptable as our current military involves complex technology and systems unimagined in past generations,” said General Dunlavey. “We need young men and women who can think critically, work well in teams, and make decisions under pressure. Increasing access to high-quality pre-K programs will result in more kids being prepared for college, the workforce and the military down the road.”
According to data cited in the report, more than 200,000 three- and four-year-olds lack access to high-quality pre-kindergarten in Pennsylvania, and more than 4,200 three- and four-year-olds lack access in Erie County alone.
Local legislators State Senator Sean Wiley, State Representatives Flo Fabrizio and Curt Sonney came out to the legislative breakfast in support of Pre-K for PA.
“It is our duty to engage anyone who will listen on the value of early education as the future of this commonwealth,” said State Senator Wiley.
“The social ills of this country could be eradicate by good education,” said Flo Fabrizio. “We are all on the same team and we’re going to fund this, but we have to fund it adequately. You won’t find any legislator that disagrees with Pre-K. It’s imperative that we do all we can at a young age.”
State Representatives Pat Harkins and Ryan Bizarro were unable to attend, but have been strong supporters of the Pre-K for PA campaign.
“I know that quality Pre K is the bedrock of our going forward with any education initiatives,” said Representative Pat Harkins. “Everything we do as a society is dependent on how we educate our children and statistics show that investing in the first five years of a child’s life reap huge rewards in the long run.”
“If we want to make sure Pennsylvania succeeds, we’ll give our youngest learners the tools they need to grow into confident, intelligent adults,” said Representative Ryan Bizarro. “We know that about 90 percent of brain development occurs between the time a child is born and age 5, so it only makes sense to invest more in our young students. For every dollar we put into high-quality early learning programs, we save as much as $17.
“I applaud Governor Wolf for planning to spend $120 million more on preschool for our three- and four-year-olds, helping them to learn the skills they need to stay off government assistance and out of jail, and instead become upstanding contributors to our society.”
Governor Wolf has proposed increasing funding by $120 million in the coming fiscal year so about 14,000 more Pennsylvania 3- and 4-year-olds are served by high quality pre-k.
Other major findings from the Mission: Readiness report entitled, The Military Gets It: High-quality pre-kindergarten is crucial for youth readiness and a centerpiece of the military’s child development system, include:
- One in five students nationwide and 16 percent in Pennsylvania do not graduate from high school on time.
- Of those who do graduate and try to join the military, more than 1 in 5 nationwide and 22 percent in Pennsylvania cannot score highly enough on the military’s entrance exam to be able to serve.
The report highlights studies of high-quality early education programs that show impressive education and crime prevention outcomes:
- Participants in New Jersey’s preschool program, which serves children across the state, were three-fourths of a year ahead in math and two-thirds of a year ahead in literacy when they reached the fourth and fifth grades. They were also 31 percent less likely to be in special education and 40 percent less likely to be held back in school.
- Participants in the Chicago Child-Parent Centers preschool programs, which have served over 100,000 at-risk children, were 29 percent more likely to have graduated from high school, and those who were left out of the program were 70 percent more likely than participants to have been arrested for a violent crime by age 18.
Mission: Readiness is the nonpartisan national security organization of more than 500 retired generals and admirals calling for smart investments in America’s children. It operates under the umbrella of the nonprofit Council for a Strong America. For more information www.missionreadiness.org.
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 that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania will have access to high-quality pre-k For more information www.prekforpa.org.
Early Childhood Action Day Draws Advocates Rallying for Pre-K; Gov. Wolf Addresses Energetic Crowd
New National Report Shows PA Failing to Make Gains in Pre-k Access
Harrisburg, PA – Pre-K for PA supporters and early childhood advocates from across the state gathered in Harrisburg today for the annual Early Childhood Action Day. Gov. Tom Wolf and Acting Human Services Secretary Ted Dallas led a special kickoff event in the Forum Auditorium in the morning, followed by an afternoon rally in the Capitol Rotunda.
“I’m proud to welcome the over 200 pre-k and early childhood education advocates to the Capitol today that are here to encourage the General Assembly to meet the need for more high-quality early education programs for thousands of children across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “I value the support of the strong Pre-K for PA coalition for my budget, which makes historic and significant investments in early childhood education. My proposed $120 million increase in high-quality early childhood education is projected to create 14,000 new slots for children to enroll in early childhood education – growing enrollment by 75 percent.”
Gov. Wolf has proposed increasing state funding for high-quality pre-k by $120 million in the coming fiscal year so about 14,000 more Pennsylvania 3- and 4-year-olds can benefit from this once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity.
“Over the past year and a half, Pre-K for PA has been leading the push for expansion alongside the thousands of early childhood advocates who have been fighting for kids’ access to early learning for so many years,” said Jodi Askins, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC), a founding partner in the Pre-K for PA campaign.
“We are encouraged by the governor’s proposal and enthusiastic support of individual legislators from across the state, but urge action in this budget year. Each year that passes without a substantial commitment to early childhood education, another group of young learners is missing the crucial elements of development only a young mind can experience.”
A new report out Monday from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) shows Pennsylvania is failing to make any notable progress on expanding pre-k access. NIEER’s latest “State of Preschool” report shows:
- Pennsylvania dropped to 15th in the nation in pre-k access for 3-year olds in 2013-14, down from 14th the prior year.
- Pennsylvania remains stuck at 30th in the nation in pre-k access for 4-year olds – the same ranking we held the prior year.
The Rotunda rally included: Sen. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster); Rep. Mark Longietti (D-Mercer); Steven Wray, Executive Director of the Economy League of Philadelphia; Michelle Figlar, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children and incoming deputy secretary for Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development & Early Learning; early childhood educators; and parents.
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 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. For more information www.prekforpa.org.
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ReadyNation Report Outlines Business Case for PA to Invest More in Early Childhood Education
HARRISBURG (April 15, 2015) – A ReadyNation report examining the benefits of quality early learning on the economy was released today as business leaders from across Pennsylvania convened for the annual Early Learning Investment Commission’s (ELIC) Economic Summit on Early Childhood Investment.
The report, Business Case in Pennsylvania for Early Childhood Investments, outlines the business case for investing in pre-k. Pennsylvania businesses are in need of job-ready, team-capable and well-prepared employees, and high-quality early learning programs help build the foundation for these attributes.
“As business leaders, we know that we get better employees in the long-term when we prioritize high-quality early childhood education,” said Nick Scott Jr., a Pennsylvania business owner (Scott Enterprises, Erie) who serves on the Pre-K for PA Executive Leadership Council. “An investment in our youngest learners is an investment in our state’s economy, and right now we are falling behind.”
The report finds that smart, proven investments in Pennsylvania’s youngest learners are critically needed to protect the commonwealth’s competitive edge in a global marketplace. Such investments:
- Benefit children and parents: Twenty-three percent of children in Pennsylvania under six are from low-income, working families, yet only 5 percent of 3-year-olds and 13 percent of 4-year-olds are enrolled in state-funded pre-k programs.
- Prepare children for the classroom: Early deficits are reflected in school, where at-risk students who have missed out on early education opportunities often struggle to keep up with classmates, even from the first day of kindergarten. Many students fail to catch up: a full 44 percent of Pennsylvania fourth graders perform below grade level in math, and 40 percent perform below grade level in reading.
- Help earn caps and gowns: Fourteen percent of high school students in Pennsylvania still have not donned a cap and gown after four years. And among high school graduates, only 38 percent meet the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks in the four core areas (English, reading, math, and science) and may not have the skills necessary for postsecondary education.
- Aid in college and careers: By 2020, 63 percent of jobs and 62 percent of job vacancies in Pennsylvania will require postsecondary education. Longitudinal studies of the Abecedarian
project have shown that high-quality early learning from six months to age 5 can improve students’ rates of college completion. Higher education often means higher earnings: one study estimated that the additional lifetime income if Pennsylvania’s dropouts had graduated with their class in 2011 was over $4 billion.
Today’s ELIC summit convenes nearly 200 business and civic leaders from across the commonwealth to discuss early learning and child development. The commission is made up of governor-appointed business leaders who understand the value of investing in early learning as a means to build an effective, competitive workforce and a stronger economy.
ReadyNation is the preeminent business leader organization working to strengthen business and the economy through effective investments in children and youth. For more information, visit www.readynation.org.
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. The campaign’s 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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Early Childhood Educators Present Pennies for Pre-K to Governor Wolf at Annual DVAEYC Conference
PHILADELPHIA (March 20, 2015)– Gov. Tom Wolf was presented with “Pennies for Pre-K” today at the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (DVAEYC) annual conference. The Governor spoke to the group of more than 1,500 early educators about the importance of a high-quality preschool education and outlined his plan for expanded access in Pennsylvania.
“Early education programs provide the foundation children need to enter school ready to learn. My plan increases enrollment in early childhood education by 75 percent,” said Gov. Tom Wolf. “I’m honored to be among the many educators, administrators and parents here at the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children that share my commitment to make the necessary investments in our children’s futures.”
DVAEYC is a founding partner of Pre-K for PA, a non-partisan statewide issue campaign formed to ensure that every 3- and 4-year-old in the commonwealth will have access to high-quality pre-kindergarten by 2018.
DVAEYC Executive Director, Sharon Easterling, kicked-off a statewide Pre-K for PA “Pennies for Pre-K” initiative that highlights the importance of providing adequate funding for early childhood education and showcases support for the $120 million increase in preschool funding outlined by Gov. Wolf in his 2015-16 state budget proposal. Easterling called on the more than 1,500 early educators to engage their neighbors and urge their legislators to support early learning.
“Access to early learning is key to a child’s early development and their success throughout school and future earnings,” said Sharon Easterling. “The investment proposed by Governor Wolf goes a long way toward our goal of providing the opportunity to learn to all 3- and 4-year-olds. Now, early educators, community leaders, neighbors and families must rally together and send a message to leaders in Harrisburg that we need more ‘Pennies for Pre-K!’”
Earlier this month, Gov. Wolf presented his 2015-2016 budget, which proposed substantial increases to state investments in high-quality pre-kindergarten and child care – investments that will help Pennsylvania make up lost ground and increase access to high-quality early learning programs for more children. Gov. Wolf’s proposed budget includes:
- A $120 million increase in early childhood education with $100 million going to Pre-K Counts and $20 million going to the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program. Both programs target low-income and high-risk children.
- The increased funding would allow for the enrollment of more than 14,000 additional children (approximately a one-third increase).
- The increased funding would also create 3,400 new jobs in Pennsylvania.
The annual DVAEYC Conference is the premiere event for the early education community in the Delaware Valley. The DVAEYC 2015 “Early Learning: What’s Play Got to Do with It?” brings together more than 1,500 early educators, nationally recognized presenters, innovative exhibitors, and public officials for two days of exciting idea-sharing and discussion of one of the most crucial elements of early childhood — the importance of PLAY.
Conference attendees and educators across the state are being encouraged to collect pennies for pre-k and talk to parents and community members about the educational, emotional and developmental value of early learning. Children will decorate collection containers, gather pennies, and participate in counting activities. All the pennies collected will be delivered to state officials in Harrisburg this spring.
Despite the proven benefits of high-quality early learning, too few Pennsylvania children have access to these programs. Only about 1 in 6 of PA’s 3- and 4-year olds is enrolled in publicly funded, high-quality pre-k, a statistic that has remained unchanged in recent years due to the sluggish state investments.
The Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (DVAEYC) champions high-quality early care and education for all young children in southeastern PA. The Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (DVAEYC) is a non-profit, member organization working on behalf of the needs, rights and well-being primarily of children aged birth through eight and their families. DVAEYC offers professional development opportunities for early childhood educators and professionals and advocates to improve quality compensation and affordability in the early care and education system. www.dvaeyc.org
Pre-K for PA was launched in 2014 with the vision that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania will have access to high-quality pre-k. This statewide coalition includes: Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children; Economy League of Greater Philadelphia; Fight Crime: Invest in Kids; Mission: Readiness; Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children; Pennsylvania Head Start Association; Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children; Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children; Public Citizens for Children and Youth; and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. www.prekforpa.org ###
