Pre-K Coalition Letter to the House Committee on Education & Labor: June 24, 2008

June 24, 2008
The Honorable George Miller
Chairman
House Committee on Education & Labor
2181 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington D.C. 20515 		    The Honorable Howard P. McKeon 
    Ranking Member 
    House Committee on Education and Labor 
    2101 Rayburn House Office Building 
    Washington D.C. 20515 

Re:    Providing Resources Early for Kids Act “Pre-K Act,” H.R. 3289

Dear Chairman Miller and Ranking Member McKeon:

As organizations representing stakeholders from the education, child care, and social policy communities who care deeply about investing in our nation’s children, we would like to express our strong support for the Providing Resources Early for Kids Act “Pre-K Act” (H.R. 3289) and urge a strong "yes" vote on the bill on June 25th.

As you know, the cognitive, social, and emotional skills that children develop during their early years are essential building blocks for their entire lives. Pre-kindergarten programs play a critical role in helping to develop these skills and to set a positive trajectory for student success.

Research shows that children who participate in high-quality preschool programs demonstrate higher achievement levels in the elementary grades, show greater interest in learning, and are less likely to repeat a grade or require special education classes. In addition, children who attended high-quality pre-k preschool programs are less likely to be involved in the criminal justice system and/or become teen parents.

Yet, despite the importance of early childhood education on child outcomes, many families do not have access to public preschool programs and are limited in terms of the quality of program they can afford.

While states have substantially increased their investments in quality pre-k in recent years, allocating $528 million in new state dollars in FY 2008 alone, these programs currently serve just 3% of the nation’s three-year-olds; and 22% of four-year-olds.

The Pre-K Act would make a needed federal investment and expand the reach of quality pre-k to benefit children and their families by authorizing grants to states to “enhance or improve” state-funded pre-kindergarten programs through better teacher training, smaller class sizes, extended hours and other investments. This bill would establish a federal-state partnership to encourage states to meet high standards in early education. A bipartisan national voter survey released June 17* found that nearly 7 in 10 American voters favor a new federal investment in state pre-k programs.

We urge you to support this bill and are hopeful that, given your leadership, the committee will approve legislation to strengthen pre-k opportunities for our children and make a critical difference in our communities and our nation.

Sincerely,

American Association of University Women
American Counseling Association
Council of Administrators of Special Education
First Focus
Learning Disabilities Association of America
National Association of School Psychologists
National Association of State Boards of Education
National Association of State Directors of Special Education
National Education Association
National Parent Teacher Association
National School Boards Association
Pre-K Now
School Social Work Association of America

Cc:     Members, House Committee on Education and Labor

*Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc. and American Viewpoint survey of 800 registered voters, and an additional 200 "swing voters," released by Pre-K Now.
 
 
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