Advocate for Preschool Pilot programs

February 6, 2007

Dear School Supporters,

As you know, the focus of SUPPORT SCHOOLS NOW has been to advocate for funding for WJC schools to ensure they have what they need to make sure our children receive the best education possible. But schools face great challenges when children arrive at their doors not ready for school.

Governor Kaine proposed expanding access to quality preschool, on a voluntary basis, using pilot programs in a public-private partnership to help children succeed in school and have more fulfilling lives.

However, in its budget the House of Delegates COMPLETELY ELIMINATED funding for the pilots. The Senate removed some funding and diverted the remaining $3.4 million to expand the Virginia Preschool Initiative, which serves “at-risk” 4 year olds. But more than just the "at-risk" need access to afforable, high quality preschool.

In addition, the House COMPLETELY ELIMINATED funding for the implementation of a “quality rating system,” which is a voluntary system to measure and improve the quality of early childhood programs and provide parents with quality related information to help choose a child care program. The Senate eliminated approximately $2 million, leaving $864,570 for a quality rating system.

NOW IS THE CRITICAL TIME TO ADVOCATE to the General Assembly for the Start Strong preK pilots. Please consider emailing representatives using the email addresses at the end of this message. Addresses below include Sen. Norment and Delegates Barlow, Hamilton and Rapp as well as the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Finance Committee.

If you have already sent a message, THANK YOU!

If not, the message I sent is below also. Use it as you wish or make your own. THE TIME IS NOW!

Thank for you for supporting our schools.

Mike Ludwick

=======================================

Dear Senators and Delegates,

Please support funding for Governor Kaine's Start Strong PreK initiative to expand preschool opportunities for four-year-olds in six pilot programs.

A wide array of studies have indicated how important preschool can be in the lives of children, academically and socially. Preschool can help close the achievement gap in education before it starts. The societal return on investment is great because children with a strong start have
fewer problems in school and in life.

These pilots will provide a limited number of additional preschool opportunities but they are also critical in helping us determine how a voluntary public-private partnership would work in Virginia, focusing on high quality with a quality ratings system and measurable outcomes.

Please support funding for the Start Strong PreK pilot programs.

Thank you for your service.

==============================

DelVCallahan@house.state.va.us
del_Putney@House.state.va.us
DelBPhillips@house.state.va.us
DelPHamilton@house.state.va.us
DelRIngram@house.state.va.us
DelJMay@house.state.va.us
DelHMorgan@house.state.va.us
DelBSherwood@house.state.va.us
DelBTata@house.state.va.us
DelBTata@house.state.va.us
DelLSpruill@house.state.va.us
DelLWardrup@house.state.va.us
DelCJones@house.state.va.us
DelSLandes@house.state.va.us
DelJReid@house.state.va.us
DelJScott@house.state.va.us
DelWAbbitt@house.state.va.us
DelCHogan@house.state.va.us
DelRBrink@house.state.va.us
DelOWare@house.state.va.us
DelAHowell@house.state.va.us
DelMBaCote@house.state.va.us
DelRDance@house.state.va.us
district28@sov.state.va.us
district29@sov.state.va.us
district09@sov.state.va.us
district40@sov.state.va.us
district12@sov.state.va.us
district17@sov.state.va.us
district19@sov.state.va.us
district32@sov.state.va.us
district35@sov.state.va.us
district08@sov.state.va.us
district13@sov.state.va.us
district03@sov.state.va.us
district27@sov.state.va.us
district24@sov.state.va.us
district10@sov.state.va.us
DelWBarlow@house.state.va.us
DelMRapp@house.state.va.us