New York State Executive Chamber | Governor Eliot Spitzer

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GOVERNOR SPITZER HIGHLIGHTS UNIVERSAL PRE-KINDERGARTEN INITIATIVE
134 New Districts and 22,800 More Children Will Have Access to Pre-K

Governor Eliot Spitzer today visited the City of Yonkers School District to highlight the steps his administration is taking to expand access to pre-kindergarten for every child in New York State within four years.

As a result of an historic $146 million or 50 percent increase in pre-kindergarten funding this year, at least 134 new school districts will provide pre-kindergarten programs for the first time, and the 248 districts that already offer these services will be able to expand enrollment. Overall, more than 22,800 additional New York children (a 36 percent increase) will now have access to pre-kindergarten classes.

“Providing a child with early learning opportunities lays the foundation for a better life and greater opportunities,” said Governor Spitzer. “Access to health care and education are critically important components of early childhood development and we are making great strides on both of these fronts. Universal pre-kindergarten will have a profound impact on our students, improving achievement and lowering the drop-out rate, especially among the most disadvantaged.”

The Governor today visited pre-kindergarten classrooms at the Patricia A. DiChiaro School in Yonkers. He met with Yonkers Superintendent Bernard Pierorazio and Principal Patricia Langan to hear, firsthand, about how the state’s historic investment is helping to serve the district’s high concentrations of disadvantaged children.

In Yonkers, this year’s increase in pre-kindergarten funding was $380,000 or approximately 9 percent, allowing 141 more children to benefit from this program. The total number of children enrolled is 1,876, or eighty-three percent of eligible four year-olds in Yonkers. The district has been a leader in providing pre-kindergarten classes, becoming one of the first areas to offer those services to students in 1966.

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins said: “Preparing our children mentally, socially and emotionally, while in pre-kindergarten programs for the rigors of academic life has been a proven success. The statistical gains made by young students in language arts development and problem-solving are well-documented in countless studies. Also, a recent RAND Corporation report noted that in California a benefit-cost analysis of pre-school education there showed that every dollar spent on pre-K produces $2.62 in returns. Universal pre-k goes beyond school readiness, though. It benefits communities in many ways, even economically, and results in more highly educated and skilled workers for the jobs of tomorrow.”

Assemblyman Michael Spano said: “The universal pre-k program at the Patricia DiChiaro School is just another example of some of the exciting things happening in the Yonkers Public Schools. I commend Governor Spitzer for his commitment to ensure that all parents have access to full-day early learning programs for their children.”

Assemblyman Richard Brodsky said: “As a long-time advocate for education, I was very happy to support an increase in funding for universal pre-kindergarten. Academic achievement later in life is greatly improved by early education programs that set children on a path towards lifelong learning.”

Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow said: “This year, the Governor and the Legislature delivered on our promise to substantially increase our investment in universal pre-kindergarten. This new funding will ensure that more children will get off on the right foot academically and have a better chance to succeed.”

Westchester County Executive Andy Spano said: “As a former educator, I know the importance of pre-k programs. The decision to use those funds to expand pre-k programs in Yonkers is an excellent one.”

New York State Board of Regents Chancellor Robert M. Bennett said: “The investment in universal pre-k is the smartest and wisest investment that we can make for the long-term success of children in school, in families and in society. The Board of Regents is grateful to the commitment exhibited by Governor Spitzer in this important and critical aspect of education.”

The universal pre-kindergarten initiative is part of the Governor’s “Birth to Five” agenda, aimed at giving the youngest New Yorkers the educational opportunities and access to health care necessary to get a good start in life. In June, the Governor signed an Executive Order creating a Children’s Cabinet to oversee the implementation of this agenda and his efforts to improve early childhood development in New York. Among the Cabinet’s top priorities are instituting universal pre-kindergarten, identifying ways to ensure that high quality early learning opportunities are available to all children, and closing systemic gaps that have allowed far too many children to fall behind.

In the 2007-2008 school year, the City of Yonkers School District received $212 million in overall school aid from the state, which represents an increase of $18.7 million (10 percent) over last year.