HARRISBURG (December 10, 2024) — The Pre-K for PA campaign joined Governor Shapiro, First Lady, and Lieutenant Governor Davis at the Pennsylvania Capitol tree lighting ceremony to mark the official start of the holiday season today. The 24-foot Douglas Fir Christmas tree from Crystal Springs Tree Farm in Lehighton, Carbon County, was decorated by pre-k students from all corners of the commonwealth who crafted hundreds of original ornaments.
Joining Governor Shapiro for the tree lighting ceremony were staff, students, and families from a Pre-K Counts classroom located at Hansel and Gretel Early Learning Center in Harrisburg.
“Access to high-quality pre-k yields significant benefits that help ensure children are ready to succeed. From understanding how to be an active learner to letter and number recognition, Pennsylvania’s high quality pre-k programs like Pre-K Counts and Head Start are building a solid foundation of learning for our next generation,” said Jen DeBell, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC), a principal partner of Pre-K for PA.
A skilled teaching workforce is a critical component to providing high-quality pre-k programs, yet the pay disparity between early childhood educators and educators in the K-12 system is significant and is creating an historic shortage of qualified teachers. This teacher shortage is closing classrooms and reducing the number of children who receive this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. A recent Susquehanna Polling and Research poll showed that 64% of PA voters support the use of state funding to increase compensation for pre-k teachers to combat this staffing shortage.
“This holiday season, our wish is for our elected officials to prioritize early care and learning for our youngest learners, their families, the professionals in the industry, and the future of our Commonwealth,” continued DeBell.
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.
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