Philadelphia, PA – The boards of three area schools districts – Lower Merion, William Penn and Norristown – all signed on in support of the growing Pre-K for PA movement Monday evening by enacting resolutions calling for the adoption of state-funded policies to ensure that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania can access high-quality pre-k education.
“All children should have the opportunity to enter kindergarten ready to succeed,” said Lower Merion School Board President Dr. Melissa Gilbert. “We are fortunate to have a number of high quality pre-K options in our community. We recognize, however, that these options do not exist in every district, nor are they affordable to every family in Lower Merion. As a state, it’s essential that we invest in quality early learning programs to prepare future generations of Pennsylvania students for success.”
“Investment in high-quality pre-k is an issue that Pennsylvania’s elected officials and candidates for office cannot ignore,” said William Penn School District Superintendent Joe Bruni. “We have seen it over and over again – too many of our children fall behind in school because their families do not have access to, or cannot afford quality pre-k. Now is the time to reverse this trend and invest in our kids.”
“We know that the investment in early learning is essential, because it helps ensure that every child has the best chance possible for academic and social success,” said Norristown Superintendent Dr. Janet Samuels. “Every child has a right to high quality pre-kindergarten, we have a responsibility throughout the Commonwealth to ensure all children and families have access. The impact on the lives of children is immeasurable.”
Each of the three resolutions highlights the benefits of high-quality pre-k programs. Those benefits include, among others: improved early literacy, language, math, social and emotional skills; a reduction in special education placements and grade repetition; increased rates of high school graduation and college enrollment; and decreased high school dropout and crime rates.
For a copy of each of the full resolutions, visit Pre-K for PA’s “Supers for Pre-K” webpage here.
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. We will not endorse nor oppose candidates, but rather we will advocate on behalf of this vision for Pennsylvania’s children, schools and communities.
