MECHANICSBURG, PA (Oct. 4, 2017)—Representatives from the Pennsylvania Principals Association, the statewide Pre-K for PA campaign, Mechanicsburg Area School District, United Way of the Capital Region, the Learning and Play Center and the Mechanicsburg Learning Center today discussed high-quality pre-k and its effectiveness in providing a strong academic foundation before a child enters kindergarten, and urged the state to increase investments in this once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity during a press conference at the Kindergarten Academy at Filbert Street.

The event highlighted the findings of a new report, Elementary School Principals Resoundingly Support Pre-K Investments, produced by the Pennsylvania Principals Association in partnership with the statewide Pre-K for PA campaign. The report shows nearly 99 percent of elementary school principals agree that publicly funded, high-quality pre-k is an important tool for preparing children for kindergarten, particularly those at risk.

“In my school, I see the long-lasting benefits of high-quality pre-k. Children come to school with a sense of confidence and the natural curiosity to learn. They are comfortable in the school environment and are eager to engage in next steps on their educational journey: socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically. These children coming from high quality pre-k can focus their attention and regulate their behaviors,” said Kathy Healey, Principal of the Kindergarten Academy at Filbert Street.  

Elementary principals’ perceptions confirm research that shows that high-quality pre-k is especially beneficial for children from low-income families, helping put them at the same starting line as their more economically advantaged peers by the time they start school.

Tim Fatzinger, President and CEO of United Way of the Capital Region added, “United Way of the Capital Region and our community partners want to move the needle on education disparities in our region. The best way to accomplish this is to help level the playing field for all children by providing early education opportunities to ensure they are ready to succeed in school when they enter kindergarten.”

Approximately 64 percent or 2 in 3 eligible preschoolers don’t have the opportunity to attend publicly funded, high-quality pre-k.

According to the report, more than 97 percent of elementary school principals in the Commonwealth strongly agree or agree that additional state investments in publicly funded, high-quality pre-k should be made. They join an ever-growing list of supporters who have articulated strong support for state funding increases in pre-k, which also includes governors and legislators from both sides of the aisle, business and education leaders, law enforcement officials, high-ranking military officers, pediatricians and world-class athletes.

In addition, principals, who are on the frontline of delivering quality education, reported they can easily distinguish between those students who attended high-quality pre-k and those who missed this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“When a child enters kindergarten unable to recognize some letters and numbers, complete a puzzle, or lacks other skills that can set that child on a path to succeed in school, that child is at an unfair disadvantage,” said Dr. Paul Healey, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Principals Association.

“Principals face challenges ensuring that child can reach his or her full potential. If every child who needs it had access to high-quality pre-k, we would see fewer children struggling or needing special education or remediation. We would see more self-confident children who love education as much as we do.”

Responses to the survey were received from a diverse group of rural, suburban and urban school principals who are responsible for educating nearly 60 percent of elementary students statewide. They reported improvements in age-appropriate behaviors and the ability to reach academic milestones in students who attended high-quality pre-k.

“Too many children at risk of school failure miss the opportunity to attend high-quality publicly funded pre-kindergarten. Pre-k works! Decades of research has proven it and this survey adds the validation of Pennsylvania’s elementary principals to the value of the public investment,” said Joan Benso, President and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, a founding member of the Pre-K for PA Campaign.

“Elementary School Principals Resoundingly Support Pre-K Investments” is available at  www.paprincipals.org or www.prekforpa.org.

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