Universal Pre-K

Promise the Children strives to provide our advocates with current information regarding the issues that are consistent with our mission of equity in public education. Two issues that are frequently focused on are Universal pre-k and Birth and beyond programs and initiatives. Thus, we offer a brief, two part, refresher course for the upcoming political season. We hope that you will take this information and ask your candidates how they will best support our youngest citizens.
 
Part 1- Universal Pre-K
 
Universal Pre-K is a movement to provide quality preschool to all 4 year olds regardless of income. It is a state funded program as opposed to a federally funded program like Head Start. Each state has individual legislation that sets its mandates for the program. Fortunately, Universal pre-k is finding its way into state policy, but it is still only available to all 4 year olds in Florida, Georgia, and Oklahoma. Multi-year plans to implement pre-k for all four year olds are in the works for New York, Illinois, Iowa, and West Virginia. (Illinois’ plan includes three year olds as well.)

Research shows that the opportunity to attend a pre-K class makes a child 40 percent less likely to need special education services, 40 percent less likely to repeat a grade and twice as likely to attend college. The benefits of early education continue through adulthood with a significant reduction of teen pregnancy and violent crime, and also resulting in higher wages and more stable families. Early education makes sense. The statistics are proof that pre-k will improve children’s lives and indeed, the greater communities where they live.
(For more facts go to: http://www.preknow.org.)
 
We have underestimated young children’s educational capabilities for far too long. The time has come to make Universal pre-k a natural extension of American educational policy in order to give young children the educational foundation that that they need to make them lifelong learners and strong productive citizens. Ask the question of your candidates; where do they stand on Universal Pre-K?