March 02, 2004

By: Melissa Schneider
Website: http://www.1st-in-kids.com

Parents speak out for early childhood education investments

Pennsylvania parents spoke up for state investments in the kinds of early childhood education programs that are preparing their own children for learning, through paper dolls delivered to legislative leaders today.

In a campaign coordinated by Pennsylvania child advocates and early childhood education providers, parents countered a claim by state Senate leaders – that voters aren’t speaking up for early childhood education investments. Through the paper dolls, decorated by young children as what they want to be when they grow up, parents said that early childhood education will help their children achieve their dreams.

Here in the Capitol, senators tell us they aren’t hearing demands for change, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children President and CEO Joan L. Benso said at a Capitol news conference. Their constituents are silent on education reforms, so senators aren’t taking action. And yet, as we travel the state, parents and educators, taxpayers and voters say that something has to give. Maybe they’re too disheartened to speak up, but they don’t want mediocre results from education any more. They can’t put their views into cold, hard policy terms, but they know that something is wrong. They see education reforms, including early childhood education, property tax reforms, and more sensible school financing, as part of the solution.

To put it bluntly, they see a problem and they expect lawmakers to do their jobs and fix it with responsible, effective solutions. The House and governor’s office have taken steps to break the education funding logjam. Today’s message is that the Senate must do its part. Parents spoke of their dreams for their children – the future ballerinas, firefighters, and doctors – but many also referenced the broader implications of early childhood education. Benso read a note from a Pottsville father who urged lawmakers to consider the importance of a program such as Head Start, and the positive impact that such a program can have on our great state.

Talk around Harrisburg has an education budget completed by December, Benso said. These dolls, and the parents’ voices behind them, are timely reminders. They express the need to include early childhood education in Pennsylvania’s strategies for school success. Many parents are fully aware of the No Child Left Behind Act. They know Pennsylvania has a lot of catching up to do, and they expect their elected officials to put school achievement on a fast track.

Campaign sponsors were PPC, the Pennsylvania Head Start Association, Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth, Good Schools Pennsylvania, the Delaware Valley Council for Early Care and Learning, and the statewide and regional AEYCs – Association for the Education of Young Children. The Head Start community’s enthusiastic participation in the campaign demonstrated the depth of feeling that parents have for better educational experiences, Lembo said.

Nellie Sepulveda, campaign director for Good Schools Pennsylvania, read a note from a Quakertown mother who urged lawmakers to help all children achieve their dreams. Opportunities to learn should unfold at every level, for every child, Sepulveda said. But those widespread opportunities will only appear through reforms that restore fairness to education. It’s unjust to avoid action by saying we’re spending too much already, or that early childhood education is unproven. The truth is, we’re spending our money poorly, when the things that work are at hand. Pennsylvania lawmakers have a mandate to prepare kids to learn and equip our schools with better-trained teachers and adequate resources to successfully educate every child.

One parent noted that children are the nation’s future leaders, said Sharon Ward, advocacy coordinator and child care policy director for Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth. Education is a linchpin of democracy, and we have a responsibility to help children learn to their full abilities, she said. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by careful application of policies that make learning a quality experience from the start. Pennsylvania doesn’t have those starting policies right now. This is the time to correct that, and Pennsylvania parents are saying so.

The dolls were delivered to four legislative leaders – senators Brightbill and Mellow, and representatives Perzel and DeWeese. Along with Governor Rendell, each also received a large doll representing the collective voices of Pennsylvania parents.

About The Author:

Melissa Schneider is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-kids.com.  Helping parents find kid-approved clothes, toys, games, books, activities and more.