[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 111 (Monday, August 2, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1711]]



   THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION TRAINING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 2, 1999

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the Violence 
Prevention Training for Early Childhood Educators Act.
  Students, parents, I rise to introduce the Violence Prevention 
Training for Early Childhood Educators Act.
  Students, parents, teachers and members of communities across our 
country have been grappling with the issue of school violence. There is 
no magic solution to this difficult matter, there is no single cause 
that can be addressed to guarantee our schools will be violence-free. 
However, I believe that to effectively address this issue we must 
ensure that those who are entering careers in early childhood 
development and education are properly trained in violence prevention.
  The legislation that my colleagues and I are introducing today will 
authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants ranging from 
$500,000 to $1,000,000 to institutions of higher learning and other 
facilities in order to assist them in making violence prevention 
training available to prospective teachers and those returning for 
additional professional development. Moreover, the bill will ensure 
that teachers, school counselors and child care providers are provided 
with the skills necessary to prevent violent behavior in young children 
at the very earliest stages. In 1992, Congress enacted legislation 
which funded similar training programs at Eastern Connecticut State 
University, University of Colorado at Denver, University of Kansas, 
University of Minnesota, University of North Carolina, Temple 
University and a dozen other colleges and universities.
  There is evidence that strongly suggests that early intervention and 
education is effective in preventing delinquency. For example, one 
study has indicated that when preschool teachers instruct young 
children about interpersonal problem-solving skills and other forms of 
conflict resolution, children are less likely to demonstrate 
problematic behavior, which is effective in preventing delinquency 
later on. In addition, there is further evidence that indicates that 
support programs for families with very young children--those under the 
age of five--are effective in preventing delinquency.
  Teachers are on the frontline every day. They need to be prepared to 
discuss with the children and the entire family how to resolve issues 
without resorting to violence. I believe we must reinvest in this 
proven, worthwhile program in order to ensure that our teachers, 
daycare providers and school counselors have the training they need to 
combat violence in school and society at large.
  I am pleased to be joined in this effort by Mr. Kucinich of Ohio, Mr. 
Hilliard of Alabama, Ms. Lee of California, Ms. Christensen of Virginia 
Islands, Mr. Maloney of Connecticut, Mr. Wu of Oregon, Mr. Etheridge of 
North Carolina, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Ms. Millender-McDonald of 
California, Mr. Scott of Virginia, and Mr. McGovern of Massachusetts.

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