Rendell Says Nearly 12,000 Children Will Be Served Second Year of 'Pre-K Counts'

STATE INVESTS $86.4 MILLION IN HIGH-QUALITY EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS; PARENTS URGED TO BEGIN ENROLLING CHILDREN

HARRISBURG – Gov. Edward G. Rendell recently announced that 11,800 3- and 4-year olds will benefit from the second year of Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, the quality pre-kindergarten program that is funded by an $86.4 million investment in the new state budget.

The Governor encouraged parents to immediately begin enrolling their children for the new school year.

“Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts is a resounding success for children, families and the commonwealth,” Gov. Rendell said. “Data from the first year showed that children who participated in a Pre-K Counts program are better prepared to begin learning as they enter kindergarten, setting the stage for greater success throughout school and into their careers.”

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts enables school districts, Head Start providers, child care centers or group child care homes with a Keystone STARS rating of STAR 2 or higher and nursery schools to deliver high-quality pre-kindergarten to more children, with an emphasis on those who are at the greatest risk of future academic failure. Any public or private school meeting the state’s standards for educational quality was eligible to apply for funding.

“Families enrolling their child in Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts can expect a high quality pre-kindergarten experience,” said Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak. “We are investing in the programs that are proven to work, and as a result our youngest children will be better prepared for their school career from K-12.”

This program was immediately successful in its first year of operation, and many of the continuing programs are already at full enrollment. The new grantees will help meet some of the high demand for services. Parents are encouraged to act quickly to enroll their children for the programs, which will start in September.

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts requires grantees to provide a qualified teacher and teacher’s aide, small class size, a curriculum that is aligned with the Pennsylvania Early Learning standards, regular assessment of the children’s progress and reporting of the program’s performance. These quality expectations will ensure that children will have a high quality early learning experience.

Children who are at least age three and younger than the entry age of kindergarten are eligible to apply. Priority enrollment for PA Pre-K Counts is designed for children who are at risk of school failure, either because of income (300 percent of the federal poverty level, or a family of four earning $63,600 per year), language (English is not your first language), cultural or special needs issues.

“Reaching out to at-risk children early provides a great opportunity to offer early education that will help put those children on a road to success,” Zahorchak said. “These additional grants will allow us to impact the lives of even more children.”

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts is among several innovative educational initiatives funded in the 2008-09 budget recently signed into law by Gov. Rendell. The new budget introduces a predictable state funding formula for the first time in nearly two decades. It increases funding for basic education by $274 million, or 5.5 percent, while also continuing to fund successful initiatives that are benefiting children from early childhood through graduation.

Families interested in enrolling their child in Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts can find contact information for programs online or call 1-877-4PA-KIDS (1-877-472-5437).