To the editor
Published 3:46 pm, Monday, May 6, 2013
The Times
Union's front page story on the National
Institute for Early Education Research's annual report shows how so many
states have fallen behind in their commitment to early education ("Largest
drop ever for pre-K spending," April 29).
We
are happy to report New York took critical action this past year to assure
high-quality pre-K is available to more children.
Unlike
other states, New York kept its pre-K program largely on track, even through
the Great Recession, and now has nearly 100,000 children enrolled.
This
year, Gov. Andrew
Cuomo and the Legislature added a $25 million investment with a
priority for full-day pre-K. This is a notable accomplishment, given the
challenges in the state budget and faced by school districts across
the state.
There
is no better investment in education than one in early learning. Children who
attend high-quality pre-K are more likely to be reading on grade level by third
grade and twice as likely to graduate high school and go on to college. Studies
show a return on investment of $7 for every $1 invested, a fact touted by Nobel
laureate and Federal Reserve economists.
The
progress we are making in New York positions us to benefit from President
Obama's new Pre-K for All plan.
Nancy Kolben
Center
for Children's Initiatives executive director
Schuyler
Center for Advocacy and Analysis executive director
Alliance
for Quality Education executive director
Citizen
Action of New York executive director
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