Federal Pre-K Funding in Trouble
| Representatives
Allen Boyd Talking points:Florida ranks as one of the lowest states in academics. Early childhood education is a vital investment in our children’s future. Only 3% of Title I funds go to early childhood education. Additional funding will make a significant difference in pre-k education. Please vote to include the proposed $500 million for pre-kindergarten. |
Last Friday, the Appropriations Subcommittee for human services decided against an extra $500 million in Title I funds that would have been earmarked for early learning. Their reasoning: “preschool programs can already be covered by existing Title 1 funds.”
While it is true that early learning CAN be funded by Title I, only 3% of the children served in SY 2006-07 were preschoolers. The $500 million is specifically for pre-kindergarten.
The full Appropriations Committee will convene this Friday, providing the last chance for specific Title I pre-k money. We expect that an amendment will be offered to add the $500 million back into the bill.
We need your help. Call Florida’s Representatives on the Appropriations Committee ask them to support the amendment and provide additional federal funding for pre-kindergarten.
If the Title I funds do not go through as an amendment this week the additional $500 million, as well as a great chance to improve the quality and availability of early learning, will disappear.
Make the call TODAY!
Also in the News :
Debunking Early Education Fade-Out Claims
New America Foundation's Early Education Initiative released research debunking long-standing claims of the early childhood education “fade-out” effect.
Listen to Dr. Jerry Weast, Superintendent of Montgomery County Schools in Maryland, talk about one of the most successful early learning programs in the country.
For more information read Fighting Fade-Out.