PA Principals Association / Pre-K for PA Releases Report, Urges Support for Substantial Investments in High-Quality Pre-k
WEST POTTSGROVE, Pa., Sept. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nearly 99% of elementary school principals agree that publicly funded, high-quality pre-k is an important tool for preparing children for kindergarten, particularly those at risk, according to a report released today by the Pennsylvania Principals Association in partnership with the statewide Pre-K for PA campaign.
"Elementary School Principals Resoundingly Support Pre-K Investments" details findings of a recent statewide survey of elementary school principals to better understand their perception of high-quality pre-k. More than 97% strongly agree or agree that additional state investments in publicly funded, high-quality pre-k should be made.
They join an ever-growing list of supporters: governors and legislators from both sides of the aisle, business and education leaders, law enforcement officials, high-ranking military officers, pediatricians and world-class athletes.
Principals also reported they can easily distinguish between those students who attended high-quality pre-k and those who missed this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"When a child enters kindergarten unable to recognize some letters and numbers, complete a puzzle, or lacks other skills that can set that child on a path to succeed in school, that child is at an unfair disadvantage," said Dr. Paul Healey, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Principals Association. "If every child who needs it had access to high-quality pre-k, we would see fewer children struggling or needing special education or remediation."
Principals' perceptions confirm research that shows that high-quality pre-k is especially beneficial for children from low-income families, helping put them at the same starting line as their more economically advantaged peers by the time they start school.
However, 64 percent or 2 in 3 eligible preschoolers don't have the opportunity to attend publicly funded, high-quality pre-k.
"Too many children at risk of school failure miss the opportunity to attend high-quality publicly funded pre-kindergarten. Pre-k works! Decades of research proves it and this survey adds the validation of Pennsylvania's elementary principals to the value of the public investment," said Joan Benso, President & CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, a founding member of the Pre-K for PA Campaign.
The Campaign's goal is to increase investments to include an additional $310 million in state funding for pre-k by 2022, and urges the Commonwealth to also take steps to improve affordability for middle-class parents.
The report can be found at www.paprincipals.org or www.prekforpa.org.
SOURCE PA Principals Association
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