| Bookmark Site Tell a Friend |
| Free Classifieds |
 |
| Sponsored Links Business Entertainment Sports Politics Health US News World News |
Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Says Nearly 12,000 Children Will be Served in Second Year of 'Pre-K Counts'
State Invests $86.4 Million in High-Quality Early Learning Programs;
Parents Urged to Begin Enrolling Children
| Your Ad Here & Hundreds of Other Search Engines & Directories Only $3/Month or Less CLICK NOW! |
HARRISBURG, Pa., July 15 -- Governor Edward G.
Rendell today 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," Governor 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
Governor 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 at
http://www.papromiseforchildren.com or call 1-877-4PA-KIDS (1-877-472-5437).
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out
more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly
newsletter, visit http://www.governor.state.pa.us.
A list of the local Potter County grant recipients follows:
Potter County
-- Galeton Area School District
-- OSWAYO Valley School District
-- Austin Area School District
Other Articles That May Interest You
Back To School On A Budget
Back-to-school shopping can be an exhausting and expensive experience and many parents start off on the wrong foot before they even get to the store. But there are simple ways to make this annual shopping trip efficient and affordable.
School Buses Proven Safe For Students, Environment
Parents are tasked with making many decisions that affect the quality of education their children receive. One of those choices, transportation to and from school, plays a more important role than moms and dads may realize.
A 'New' New Year’s Resolution: Help Your Child Learn to Read
On Jan. 1, thousands of people will challenge themselves to quit smoking, exercise more, eat better or take more pictures. All worthy goals. But there are other worthy goals that get left off the New Year's resolution list. Children who grow up reading with their parents attend school more regularly and are more likely to complete their educations. Why not add “helping your child to read” to your list of resolutions for 2009?
back to Potter County News > Home Page