Universal Preschool Proposed In PA

PENNSYLVANIA — A new bill citing various long term economic benefits would mandate a long-discussed proposal that public schools in Pennsylvania provide pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. The proposal comes as the state sees a $79 million budget increase that will already allow some 2,300 more children access to pre-k in the 2023-24 school year.

Supporters point to early socialization that leads to better and more dynamic social and life skills in children.

"Although there are proven economic benefits to early education programs that can help students become contributing members of society, the goal of pre-kindergarten and other early educational programs is to create educational environments and experiences that nurture children’s overall well-being and advancement," State Rep. Kevin J. Boyle said in a co-sponsorship memorandum announcing the legislation.

Officials estimate that at least 40 percent of eligible pre-schoolers don't have access to quality care and learning. That's in part due to economic disadvantages, but it's also in part due to availability. Simply put, there aren't enough preschools for the number of preschool aged students in the state.

The movement has a strong undercurrent of support. The group Pre-K for PA worked closely with legislators in supporting and designing the support for additional pre-k funding reflected in next year's budget.

It's unclear exactly what the extent of support for the bill will be in the legislature. Pre-K for PA says that polling indicates that 90 percent of registered voters support the idea. However, major state Republican candidates entering the 2022 midterm election cycle advocated for a decrease in school funding.

“Every year, our holiday wish is for lawmakers to make serious investments in our kids to continue to keep early learning strong — and Governor Wolf and the General Assembly did just that,” Steve Doster, the state director of Mission: Readiness, one of Pre-K for PA's partners, said in a statement.

Specifically, the bill would formalize the requirement that all school districts offer pre-k for children who have not yet attended kindergarten, and kindergarten for children between the ages of four and six. "The pre-kindergarten programs shall be an integral part of the elementary school system of the district," the text of the bill reads. "And be kept open for not less than two and one-half hours each day for the full school term as provided."

Local school boards would be empowered to fix the number of pre-k programs and their exact hours.

The idea is different from other universal pre-k proposals in the past, and programs put in place by other states, which would have been based on partnerships with community organizations.

The full text of House Bill 1037 is available online here.