Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Legislators Propose Major Expansion Of Preschool Programs
HARTFORD — Democratic leaders in the legislature presented an ambitious proposal Wednesday to dramatically expand government-funded early childhood education programs in Connecticut.
Standing alongside educators from across the state at a Capitol press conference, a group of powerful lawmakers, including Senate President Donald Williams and House Speaker Brendan Sharkey, outlined their plan to spend $200 million over 10 years. The money would cover the cost of providing "a "high-quality" pre-kindergarten experience in public schools for about 50,000 3- and 4-year-olds.
"We believe that this will improve the lives of thousands of children," said Sen. Beth Bye, a West Hartford Democrat who holds bachelor's and master's degress in early childhood education and once worked as a program director at Capitol Region Education Council.
Supporters of the plan point to a growing body of research demonstrating a connection between preschool education and later academic success. Dozens of states have launched or expanded early childhood programs in recent years, and many politicians, including Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, have made universal preschool a priority.
http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-universal-pre-kindergarten-0410-20140409,0,4391926.story
Standing alongside educators from across the state at a Capitol press conference, a group of powerful lawmakers, including Senate President Donald Williams and House Speaker Brendan Sharkey, outlined their plan to spend $200 million over 10 years. The money would cover the cost of providing "a "high-quality" pre-kindergarten experience in public schools for about 50,000 3- and 4-year-olds.
"We believe that this will improve the lives of thousands of children," said Sen. Beth Bye, a West Hartford Democrat who holds bachelor's and master's degress in early childhood education and once worked as a program director at Capitol Region Education Council.
Supporters of the plan point to a growing body of research demonstrating a connection between preschool education and later academic success. Dozens of states have launched or expanded early childhood programs in recent years, and many politicians, including Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, have made universal preschool a priority.
http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-universal-pre-kindergarten-0410-20140409,0,4391926.story
I wish a real system of subsidized childcare could be proposed along with this. Imagine having childcare centers spread across the state with reasonable prices!