Philadelphia educators call for more Pre-K programs

This week 500 preschool-aged kids joined the Philadelphia school district at Franklin Square to call for more funding for early childhood education in the city, and the state. Right now less than 20 percent of the children in Pennsylvania are able to access state-funded preschool programs — and that’s a number the school districts, and the advocacy group Pre-K for PA, believe must change.
Philadelphia schools superintendent William R. Hite stood before the kids and their parents and called for an increase in the amount of resources and educational opportunities for the kids in his school system, particularly the ones who are Pre-K age. Hite said that the difference between children who are able to take advantage of early childhood education opportunities and those who do not really does show up later in the schooling process.
“Quite frankly, it’s the difference between reading at a third-grade level and not. That’s a big indicator for us for future success of a child,” Hite said.
He added that “every single student” should have access to early childhood programs in the state — not just a handful.
The rally is certainly a step in the right direction, not just for Philadelphia schools, but for all urban K-12 ones that often suffer lower achievement rates, lower graduation rates and higher behavioral problems than suburban or rural settings. Giving kids an early start in academics and the structure of a school setting is important to boosting the success of K-12 students and also to the overall communities impacted by these students.
What are your thoughts on making Pre-K part of the K-12 process across the country?
It’s nice to hear that Philadelphia schools are stepping up and speaking out to get more funding for preschools. Pre-k students need these educational opportunities. While I don’t think we should have to send our children to pre-k, I think the option would be nice for parents who want to send their children.
I think that Pre-K learning should always be the decision of parents — and in most cases, kids don’t really need it. I suppose somewhere like Philadelphia needs the extra babysitting for families that work, but from an educational standpoint, I don’t see the need.
I think the rest of the nation should take a cue from cities like Philadelphia and get on board with more early education programs that are affordable or free. This is really, really important to getting kids ready for the social and academic demands that start as early as Kindergarten.