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| Legislature makes progress in early childhood education The Harvard Hillside, Letter to the Editor by Jonie Latimer-Brady, August 22, 2008 I am writing in response to the July 18 "Beacon Hill Roll Call" about the state passage of An Act Relative to Early Education and Care. As a recipient of a Massachusetts Universal Pre-Kindergarten Classroom Quality grant and owner and director of the Ayer Kiddie Depot, I want to thank Sen. Pamela Resor, Sen. Robert Antonioni, Rep. Robert Hargraves and Gov. Deval Patrick for demonstrating their leadership and commitment to our young children and families by passing and signing landmark legislation into law to formally establish the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program in the commonwealth. The fiscal year 2009 state budget provided important new investments for high-quality early education, including $12.14 million (a 70 percent increase in funding over last year) for the Massachusetts UPK program, which was created by the Legislature in the FY07 state budget. This funding, in conjunction with establishing the UPK program in state law, marks significant progress and is a good first step toward the long-term goal of providing voluntary, high-quality early education to all children and families. If we are truly going to close the achievement gap in Massachusetts, then providing voluntary, high-quality universal pre-kindergarten to Massachusetts children is the best place to start. Low-income children who participate in high-quality early childhood education are 40 percent less likely to need special education services or be held back a grade, 30 percent more likely to graduate from high school and twice as likely to go to college. I am grateful that there is broad agreement by members of our state Legislature and Gov. Patrick that planning for a better future in Massachusetts starts today, by investing in high-quality early education. Thank you for prioritizing young children in Massachusetts and giving them the start they deserve to succeed in school and in life. JONIE LATIMER-BRADY Owner and director Ayer Kiddie Depot |
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