Governor Crist is right again. He told the St. Petersburg Times more than a year ago “how do you argue against having certified teachers? I don’t want to make that argument.”
We are learning each and every day the magnitude of the educational benefits to be derived!!! 
The results of degreed pre-k teachers: 99% gains in one area of the achievement gap compared to 26% with a mix of teachers with fewer credentials. 74% gains in another compared to 18%. 36% in a third compared to 15%!!!
These outcomes generated by degreed teachers are included in a report sent today to Children’s Campaign, Inc. by the National Institute for Early Education Research. In the accompanying narrative, Steve Barnett, co-director of NIEER, said, “There are clear lessons from these comparisons for Florida’s pre-K program. Florida is already positioned to obtain the gains from universal enrollment on classroom composition, but it has yet to put in place a requirement for well-educated and adequately paid teachers.”
The results are quite astounding. They are also sobering. Florida’s pre-k program lost ground last year by 4% in its readiness rate. And lost somewhat in the statistics is the undeniable fact that we are talking about the lives of tens of thousands of children. They will not get a second chance to attend pre-k. This is not recess. There are no “do overs”. Not providing each child high quality pre-k education compromises their learning potential with all the human costs and financial costs to come.
Can we afford degreed teachers? There are two answers. YES – and – CAN WE AFFORD NOT TO?
The investment needed to be made to upgrade pre-k teachers, starting in the year 2013, is estimated to be about $240,000,000. The annual cost of school non-promotion -- pre-k through grades 3-5 -- is $336,534,323 (source: TaxWatch). Within a couple of years, the savings will more than pay for the upfront investment. Long term costs of NOT PROVIDING high quality pre-k may exceed $800,000,000.
These results – and their implications on the lives of children - clearly move the debate from educational performance to a fiscal and moral imperative.
Bits and Pieces:
Education is an issue close to the hearts of many Floridians. Just last week in Brevard County, 10,000 parents, students, teachers, and residents turned out to impress their local legislative delegation, chanting, “Save Our Schools.”
Also in Brevard County, the Children’s Campaign in partnership with the League of Women Voters held the Brevard County Truth Tour Town Hall Meeting. Read the editorial that ran in Florida Today.
The Federal government is moving early learning policy. The omnibus appropriations bill for 2009 passed the House (HR 1105) with several increases for early learning. Head Start/Early Start has an earmarked $235 million, Title I to local educational agencies, a $648 million increase, 21st Century Learning Centers, a $50 million increase, and the Child Care Development Block Grant an additional $65 million. It is currently being heard on the Senate floor.
In case you missed it in Breaking News:
Sponsors for legislation requiring a BA degreed teacher in every pre-k classroom by the year 2013 are Sen. Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey) and Sen. Nan Rich (D-Sunrise) – Senate Bill 602; sponsors in the House are Rep. Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel), and Rep. Janet Long (D-Seminole) – HB 487. 50 mayors from across the state have added their voice in support of the measure along with the Early Childhood Association of Florida and Florida Family Childcare Home Association and many educational groups. Join the Coalition.
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