(Long Island, NY) On Monday, Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos released a report that highlights what he calls the “vastly disproportionate” state funding for Universal Pre-K, indicating that Nassau County is lagging behind by $77 million.
Ready for Kindergarten, Ready for College, a statewide campaign supporting early childhood and Pre-K education, agrees with the comptroller’s assessment. However, the campaign would also like to point out that there are many high-need districts across the state that are also suffering from the state’s failure to fund quality Pre-K.
This is especially distressing as Gov. Cuomo made a promise to fund Pre-K throughout the state in 2014. He has yet to fulfill that promise.
“It’s time for Gov. Cuomo to step up, do as he promised and fully fund quality Pre-K for every eligible child,” saidJasmine Gripper, Alliance for Quality Education’s Early Childhood Campaign Coordinator. “Every year that Pre-K goes unfunded is another year that a group of 3- and 4-year-olds doesn’t benefit from the enormous gains and bright future that Pre-K affords every child. Children throughout the state need the Governor to keep his promise and provide every child with a great start to their education.”
“We know that quality early childhood education works, so there’s no excuse for not providing the same opportunity to every young student,” said Karen Scharff, Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York. “All of New York’s children deserve access to quality early learning – it shouldn’t matter where a child lives.”
“This year alone over 74 high-need school districts applied for funding to expand Pre-K for three and four year olds both full and part day, said Nancy Kolben, Executive Director of the Center for Children’s Initiatives. “Funding was only sufficient to support 34 of these districts leaving far too many children in high need districts and across the state without the Pre-K experience that will prepare them to enter kindergarten fully ready to learn. Access to Pre-K should be like any other grade and open to all.”
Ready for Kindergarten, Ready for College is a statewide campaign with the Alliance for Quality Education, Citizen Action of New York and Center for Children’s Initiative.
