by Brandon Phillips
I spent June 3 in our Capitol championing for high-quality pre-k.
The atmosphere was exciting – parents and advocates from around the state came together to demand that our legislators take action now!
Far too many children attend pre-k programs that lack the key elements to ensure they are ready for kindergarten. Only 1 in 6 of Pennsylvania’s 3- and 4-year-olds have access to high-quality, publicly funded pre-k. Those remaining 5 in 6 can be at a significant disadvantage when they start kindergarten – less likely to read at grade-level, less likely to graduate from high school, less likely to find employment later in life.
Investment in early childhood education must happen now. It is time our elected officials understand they are allowing an achievement gap to widen and it will be very costly to overcome. Each year that passes without meaningful access to high-quality pre-k means another group of young learners is losing this opportunity.
Take Action Now! Demand from our elected officials that they do what’s right and provide our 3 & 4 year olds with access to high quality pre-k!
Brandon Phillips
Parent & Family Services Specialist
Pittsburgh Public Schools
