Holly Higgins
Office 202.862.9863
Mobile 202.834.6846
hhiggins@preknow.org
(Washington, D.C.) – A national report released today recognizes Governor Deval Patrick as a "budget hero" for his commitment to funding pre-kindergarten despite significant budget shortfalls. According to Pre-K Now in its annual analysis of pre-k leadership, "Leadership Matters: Governors' Pre-K Proposals Fiscal Year 2009," Gov. Patrick is among 17 state executives who overcame significant hurdles to propose increases in pre-k investments by a total of $261 million. If approved, these proposals would result in a 5.5% funding increase from last year and provide access to pre-k for nearly 60,000 more three and four year olds.
"Leadership Matters" also reveals the governors who did not show the same commitment to early education. For the first time in four years, the number of governors recommending increases in pre-k funding declined. With 22 states facing deficits, the economic downturn felt coast to coast threatens to halt years of positive momentum in the national movement to make quality pre-k available to every three and four year old.
"Too many times, children are asked to wait because of budget struggles. Yet this period of their development is so critical for later success. It's just poor policy to delay quality pre-k," said Amy O'Leary, campaign director for the Early Education for All campaign. "This year, Gov. Patrick's commitment to supporting pre-k shows that a tight budget is merely a challenge—not a hindrance—to providing a quality voluntary program to every child in the Commonwealth."
While the mixed report confirms that too many leaders waver when it comes to pre-k, it also makes clear that only the most committed and visionary state executives kept early education a priority and fought to protect it from funding cuts in this challenging budget year.
"In times of economic crisis, we can clearly see what a governor's priorities are," said Libby Doggett, executive director of Pre-K Now. "Gov. Patrick's commitment to funding increases for pre-k shows true leadership that will bring long-term returns to children and to the state."
Additional report findings include:
- Pre-k support is neither "red" nor "blue": both Republican and Democratic governors proposed pre-k funding increases.
- Four governors, including the governor of Rhode Island, proposed cuts to pre-k.
- Six other states, including Connecticut, will see their pre-k funding increase for FY09 because of previously approved biennial budgets.
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Pre-K Now collaborates with state advocates and policymakers to lead a movement for high-quality voluntary pre-kindergarten for all three and four year olds. The following funders contribute to making this important work possible: The Pew Charitable Trusts, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the McCormick Tribune Foundation, the Foundation for Child Development, RGK Foundation, CityBridge Foundation, PNC Financial Services Group, and the Schumann Fund for New Jersey.
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