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Leader Lessons
As the ranks of pre-k supporters grow
across the country, we introduce this month a new feature
spotlighting powerful lessons from leaders in the pre-k
movement. Former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack contributes our first
column.
Pre-kindergarten and U.S.
Prosperity
by Tom Vilsack
Beyond bright backpacks and new shoes,
sharpened pencils and shopping lists, this time of year invites
us to reflect on our national priorities. As America's children
prepare to learn, parents, policymakers, child advocates, and
educators must recommit to engaging in one of the most important
conversations of our day: creating an education system that
supports every child's optimal development and greatest
potential.... Did your elected leaders think in such terms this
session? One way you will know: They made high-quality
pre-kindergarten a priority. Read the full
column
Support for Pre-K
Trickling Up to Congress
This summer marked a turning point in
federal policymakers' support for pre-k. Congress is clearly
reacting to the progress made by the states in providing
voluntary pre-k programs, and key lawmakers have proposed
several thoughtful, research-based bills to help states achieve
high-quality pre-k for all families that want it.
As Congress embarks on a busy fall
schedule, here are some of the major issues Pre-K Now is
tracking:
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The House and Senate are expected to
conference soon on their different versions of the long-delayed
Head Start bill, which includes a crucial funding increase and
new provisions to raise teacher quality and child eligibility in
Head Start programs.
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The House and Senate education committees
have added language to the Higher Education Act that would
improve pre-k teachers' access to federal student aid. Conferees
will meet to work out differences between the House and Senate
versions after the House passes its equivalent of the Senate
reauthorization bill.
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The chairs of the House and Senate
education committees - Rep. George Miller and Sen. Edward
Kennedy, respectively - have expressed interest in supporting
early education through the reauthorization of the No Child Left
Behind Act. Pre-K Now is working with pre-k bill sponsors and
their staffs to see that the proposed federal investment in
pre-k is part of NCLB going forward.
Watch your inbox in the coming weeks for
more on these moves in Congress and opportunities for you to
influence the action. Learn
more about Pre-K Now's federal policy work
Pre-K Press
New for this edition we bring you recent
top stories from Today in Pre-K, our online
review of the articles, reports, and campaigns grabbing our
attention.
Hispanic Voters Count Education
as a Primary Issue
The Miami Herald
recently reported on a national poll
showing that candidates' stances on education matter more to
Hispanic voters than current front-page issues like the Iraq war
and healthcare. Sponsored by the National Council of La Raza and
Strong American Schools, the poll also found that high school
dropout rates are the top concern among Hispanic voters (41
percent). Respondents said that most of the problems with
education stem from weak schools and a lack of parental
involvement. As shown in Pre-K Now's report "Pre-K
and Latinos: The Foundation for America's Future," (PDF)
high-quality pre-k programs that include support for English
language learners can help Hispanic children close the
achievement gap, increase graduation rates for all children, and
promote parental involvement.
Lawmakers Learn the ABC's of
Child Policy
A new study
from Harvard provides lawmakers with a research-based framework
for effective early childhood policies, the Harvard
Crimson reported Researchers presented the framework at a
recent meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures
and explained that a young child's positive or negative
experiences form the foundation for future brain development.
One piece of advice the experts had for policymakers: children
consistently benefited from policies that provided safe
environments where children can learn and interact with
well-qualified teachers and other children. The report will
serve as a reputable reference and guide as more state
legislators show an interest in early education investments.
State Profile: New
Ground Game Restores Ohio Pre-K Promise
Ohio's unique pre-k story shows how
well-laid plans can put a struggling early education system back
on track. Built on a successful four-year pilot, the state's
pre-k program, now called the Early Childhood Education program,
went statewide in 1990 and steadily built enrollment for a
decade. Then, starting in 2001, a series of budget crises
prompted changes to the program's funding source and eligibility
requirements. These changes had the effect of cutting an
estimated 10,000 children from the state's pre-k rolls.
To set pre-k on a solid foundation again,
advocates formed the Ohio GroundWork Campaign, a statewide
effort to increase Ohio's commitment to early care and education
by building the political will to support young children's
development. After three years of diligent planning and work,
the campaign teamed up with new Gov. Ted Strickland and the
state legislature in 2007 to increase pre-k funding by $26
million over the next two years. Learn
more about the Ohio pre-k story
Back to
Top | 
On August 1, Representative Mazie
Hirono (D-HI) introduced the "Providing Resources Early for Kids
Act" (the PRE-K Act) in the U.S. House. Her bill would provide
$6 billion in federal grants over six years to help states
improve the quality of their pre-k programs. As Rep. Hirono said
in her floor speech: "Research shows that participation in a
high-quality early education program can improve success in
school and later in life, so this bill focuses on quality." The
PRE-K Act (H.R. 3289) would set a new standard for federal
support of high-quality, voluntary pre-k for all, and it is
already off to a great start. Rep. George Miller, chair of the
House Education and Labor Committee, became a cosponsor almost
immediately.
