FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Feb. 7, 2008                                                                Department of Education

                                                                                    Commonwealth News Bureau

                                                                                    Room 308, Main Capitol Building

                                                                                    Harrisburg, PA  17120

                                                                                    CONTACT:    Michael Race (PDE)

(717) 783-9802

NEW REPORT SHOWS PENNSYLVANIA PRE-K COUNTS IS HELPING MORE THAN 10,000 CHILDREN

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania’s continuing investment in early childhood education is paying dividends for children and families, according to a mid-year report on the Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts program released today by the state Department of Education.

The report from the Office of Child Development and Early Learning highlights the progress of the 146 grantees with 179 partners who offer quality pre-kindergarten to 10,980 children in 845 classrooms.

“Governor Rendell’s education strategy has always been to target resources to programs that have been proven to increase student achievement, and early childhood education is a crucial part of that strategy,” Secretary of Education Gerald L. Zahorchak said. “This report documents the overwhelming success of this program.  After the 2008-09 budget is enacted, 35 percent of eligible children will be enrolled in a quality pre-K program next year.” 

            According to the report:

• Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts is serving three- and four-year-olds in every region of the state in school- and community-based programs.
• When compared to the National Institute for Early Education Research's benchmarks for a quality early education program, PA Pre-K Counts meets or exceeds nearly every benchmark.
• Of the 827 lead teachers in PA Pre-K Counts classrooms, 86 percent have their bachelor's degree, and 72 percent either have earned their ECE teaching certificate or are pursuing ECE certification. 
• Average class size of a PA Pre-K Counts classroom is 15 children, which is fewer than the PA Pre-K Counts expectation of no more than 20 students and provides even greater one-on-one time between the teacher and students.

In addition to the quantitative results, early feedback from teachers and parents on Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts is extremely positive:

• "It has been less than nine weeks and already I can see positive developmental and educational differences in the students." Principal, Butler County
• "Thanks to the assistance of the PA Pre-K Counts program, my niece and nephew have made great developmental progress in most deficient areas. I feel their excitement and positive attitudes toward school will truly benefit them for future success in school." Aunt/guardian, Columbia County
• "When I got the call that there was a new program I couldn't believe it. We don't make a lot of money and couldn't afford to pay for preschool ourselves. PA Pre-K Counts made it possible for my daughter to get a preschool experience like so many other children do." Parent, Schuylkill County
• "My hope is that the state will continue to fund this program to give other children this wonderful opportunity to be a part of PA Pre-K Counts Program. Thank you!" Parent, Indiana County

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning, overseen jointly by the departments of Education and Public Welfare, was created under Governor Rendell to bring a stronger focus to helping Pennsylvania’s youngest children develop and learn to their fullest potential.

For more information or to download the full report, visit http://www.pde.state.pa.us/early_childhood/cwp/view.asp?a=316&pm=1&Q=125765.

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