KPLU Local News
(2009-12-02)
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Preschoolers in the classroom.
AP Photo.
"Research has shown that strong pre-school for kids has a lot to do with how successful they are in school," says Nina Auerbach, President and CEO of Thrive By Five Washington, a nonprofit which helped draft the plan. "And, in fact, a continuum that starts at birth, but then has strong preschool and an all-day Kindergarten, is probably the most helpful thing you can do to help kids have a successful K-12 experience."
The state is still phasing in all-day Kindergarten. Auerbach says universal preschool can be phased in as well. She says the state will eventually need to find money to fund its expansion.
The plan was co-authored by experts from the Department of Early Learning (D.E.L.) and the Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, along with Thrive By Five.
The proposal also includes health program and parenting support recommendations. Improving early learning has been one of the Governor's top issues. Gregoire even created an entire department (D.E.L.) dedicated to the work. The question will be how much traction the proposals can get with lawmakers who are facing an estimated $2 billion dollar budget gap. The legislature convenes again in January. Gary Davis, KPLU News, Seattle.
For More Information:
Draft Early Learning Recommendatons (D.E.L. web site)
Thrive By Five Washington web site
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) web site
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