[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 49 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         PROVIDING RESOURCES AND EDUCATION FOR KIDS ACT (PRE-K)

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, today I re-introduced the Providing Resources 
and Education for Kids Act (Pre-K). This legislation would provide a 
financial incentive to schools to devote resources to establish pre-
kindergarten programs. This is a critical step in helping states meet 
the difficult task of providing early learning services.
  Pre-kindergarten programs are crucial for preparing young children 
for the rigors of the classroom as they begin school. The first five 
years of a child's life are critical for development. Pre-kindergarten 
programs during those years will contribute to children's long-term 
success in school achievement, lead to higher earnings as adults, and 
quite probably decreased involvement with the criminal justice system. 
Today, however, kindergarten teachers estimate that one in three 
children are not ready to take on the challenge of classroom learning. 
Many children simply do not have access to pre-kindergarten programs. 
It is time for us to assist states in tackling this important issue.
  Good quality early education helps children develop, improves their 
learning skills, and prepares them to enter school ready to succeed. In 
fact, studies of several state pre-kindergarten initiatives offer 
convincing evidence of the benefits of early education, particularly 
for children at risk of school failure. These benefits include higher 
mathematics and reading achievement, increased creativity, better 
school attendance, improved health and greater parental involvement.
  Furthermore, pre-kindergarten programs have proven cost-effective 
over time. The Rand Corporation along with a team of researchers at the 
University of Wisconsin estimates that the most effective pre-
kindergarten programs create savings to the government of $13,000 to 
$19,000 per child. This savings is realized in higher school 
achievement, less retention in a grade, a reduced need for special 
education, and less crime.
  The Providing Resources and Education for Kids Act will help states 
meet the challenge of providing quality pre-kindergarten programs. This 
legislation provides grants to state education agencies to help 
establish or strengthen pre-kindergarten early learning programs for 
children age five and under. To encourage states to participate and 
ensure their long-term investment, the bill creates a sliding scale 
over five years for the federal-state match. Because of inadequate 
resources in many states, they cannot offer a pre-kindergarten program 
for young children.
  While many states do not have extensive pre-kindergarten initiatives, 
I have been fortunate that in my own hometown La Crosse, Wisconsin 
there is an impressive pre-kindergarten program at the Red Balloon 
Child Care Center. In fact, my two sons are enrolled in this program. 
Every day my wife Tawni and I see tremendous growth in our sons and we 
are pleased that we have the opportunity to send our sons to such a 
wonderful place. Our wish is that every child is able to receive the 
quality education that this pre-kindergarten program provides for our 
sons.
  Rarely have we had such a unique opportunity to push American 
education to a higher level. As a member of the Committee on Education 
and the Workforce, I am committed to making the contributions necessary 
to advance our nation's education. Nationwide, families are demanding 
more from their schools, and educators, and elected leaders, are 
responding. That is why I introduced my Pre-K Act. Investing in our 
young children before they enter kindergarten is the first step in 
helping students meet their highest potential. We should not deny 
students this opportunity by denying them a good quality early 
education.
  Mr. Speaker, educational preparation is crucial for all young 
children. I would encourage my colleagues to support the Providing 
Resources and Education for Kids Act (Pre-K).

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