Media and Newsclips
The media plays an essential role in the movement for the expansion of pre-k by educating the public and policy makers about the critical need for access by young children to high quality programs. Below are news items and press releases from Louisiana and across the country that discuss pre-k as it is evolving throughout the nation.
LOUISIANA:
The Advocate (LA)
Work-force development goals
State Sen. Randy
Letter to the Editor
4-21-08
Louisianans Support Pre-K for All
Press Release
April 17, 2008
The Daily Advertiser (LA)
Officials promote moves to expand pre-K
Amanda Bedgood
4-14-08
Stakeholders from teachers to researchers discussed how to best move forward with pre-K programs. Amongst the obstacles … are funding for expansion and awareness. As parents see the fruits of pre-K education, more will buy into the program, which will mean more legislative support in the future. There was also discussion about how to serve the whole child and the importance of including the family in the process.
The Times-Picayune (LA)
Officials ask state to add pre-k classes
Barri Bronston
4-4-08
Citing a study that shows the academic benefits of Louisiana’s prekindergarten program, Jefferson Parish school officials are looking to add more classes for the 2008-2009 school year. … The school system has … an enrollment of more than 2,300 students, most of whom pay no tuition because their families are considered low-income. The problem, school officials say, is that because Louisiana does not mandate prekindergarten, not enough children are participating.
The Shreveport Times (LA)
Gov. Bobby Jindal’s opening speech to Louisiana Legislature
3-31-08
It is critically important that we continue to support early childhood education to prepare our children for a lifetime of success. By increasing funding by $2.5 million for the LA4 program in this budget, we will provide more children with the opportunity to enroll in an instructional day program that teaches them reading and writing before they enter school. Thanks to the legislature’s previous support of this program, Louisiana currently ranks in the top 10 states in the country for funding early childhood education.
The Times-Picayune (LA)
Offer pre-k to all children
Nancy Freeman
Letter to the Editor
3-27-08
…[State Sen. Ann] Duplessis’ bill provides for a system where publicly funded pre-K is offered in child care and Head Start settings as well as in schools, as is done in other states with pre-K programs. Such a system will give parents greater choices for their children and promote quality and accountability across settings. Now is the time to expand access to Louisiana’s successful pre-K programs and make pre-K for all 4-year-olds a reality in our state.
The Advocate (LA)
Enrollment of La. 4-year-olds soaring in preschool classes
Will Sentell
2-21-08
The enrollment of Louisiana 4-year-olds in preschool classes has skyrocketed in the past five years and now totals 96 percent of children from poor families, a report issued on Tuesday shows.
The Times-Picayune (LA)
Pre-k program reaps big benefits in Jeff
Barri Bronston
1-10-08
Over the past two years, one of every five students has flunked kindergarten or first grade in Jefferson schools, a startling statistic that has school officials exploring what they can do to boost pre-K enrollment and give at-risk children a better chance at academic success.
AROUND THE SOUTH:
The Tuscaloosa News (AL)
Education key to reducing crime, Davis says in meeting
Lydia Seabol Avant
4-8-08
Education is the key to combating crime, U.S. Rep. Artur Davis said during a town hall meeting he held Monday at the County Courthouse. … To combat crime in Tuscaloosa, the city of Tuscaloosa is investing in education through the city’s Pre-K program, is adding additional police officers and has also enlisted the help of the community through several faith-based and social service organizations…
Tuscaloosa News (AL)
Riley recruits pre-kindergarten supporters
Dana Beyerle
4-6-08
Gov. Bob Riley took it to 1,000 pre-kindergarten advocates to urge legislators to support increased funding for pre-kindergarten, a pet project of his. “Walk up to the State House,” Riley urged last week. “Find your representatives and senators and tell them to vote for this budget because pre-K is so crucial to the future of our state.”
WTOC-TV (GA)
Georgia’s proposed budget would expand the state’s pre-k program
Lindsay Mohs
4-2-08
Georgia’s proposed state budget includes money to help the popular pre-K program. Lawmakers are considering adding a thousand new pre-K slots statewide. Pre-K Coordinators say more parents are taking advantage of the program because it’s free and it gives students a leg up.
Kingsport Times-News (TN)
Bredesen seeks expansion of pre-k program
Hank Hayes
4-1-08
Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen made a serious sales pitch for expanding his pre-kindergarten program and enacting a long-term care initiative to an April Fools’ Day audience of Johnson City Rotarians Tuesday. … He said Tennessee, with more than 800 pre-K classrooms established in four years, is being viewed as a national model for early childhood education. “I don’t want us to fall off course here. We need to continue making this a priority,” Bredesen told the club.
The Woodward News (OK)
Early childhood education works
Johnny McMahan
Op-Ed
3-30-08
Today’s world is one of technology that becomes more advanced by the day. Kids grow up quicker. Kindergarten students can do things many of us never dreamed of in the first or second grades. The world grows smaller every day and we all have to keep up - even at a younger and younger age. Why, indeed, is early childhood education such a focus in the world? Because research shows it works.