Holly Barnes Higgins
Office 202.862.9863
Mobile 202.834.6846
hhiggins@preknow.org
Report: Hawaii Takes First Steps Out of "Pre-K Wilderness," Legislators Applauded
(Washington, D.C.) – Hawaii legislators are recognized for taking their first steps in developing a state pre-kindergarten program in “Votes Count: Legislative Action on Pre-K Fiscal Year 2009,” a state-by-state analysis of legislative action on pre-k released today by Pre-K Now with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts. The result of a legislative veto override, the Keiki First Steps legislation establishes an early learning council whose recommendations could bring Hawaii out of the “Pre-K Wilderness,” joining the many states that provide high-quality, voluntary, state-funded pre-k.
“To the credit of some bold policymakers who recognize the importance of quality pre-k to children, families and the state’s economy, Hawaii has begun to emerge from the Pre-K Wilderness,” said Libby Doggett, executive director of Pre-K Now. “We hope to see the state take even more steps toward a future in which pre-k is protected from political wrangling, and Hawaii’s youngest learners get the tools they need to succeed in school and in life.”
The report also sheds new light on the impact of America’s economic downturn and the role of business leaders in legislative support for pre-k funding increases. Motivated by concerns about workforce development and dismal high school-graduation rates, business leaders - along with a growing number of parents, educators and school administrators - are helping Republicans and Democrats join forces to advance pre-k as a prudent, evidence-based economic and education reform strategy.
“An investment in quality early education for Hawaii’s children is also an investment in school reform, workforce development and our state’s economic growth,” said Alfred L. Castle, executive director of the Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation. “The business and philanthropic community has been supportive of Keiki First Steps, and it’s imperative that we support the new early learning council’s work and also ensure that our current investments in early education are protected in future legislative sessions.”
“Votes Count” also provides – from the perspective of parents – an analysis of the places families would have the best and worst chances of enrolling their children in a high-quality, state-funded pre-k program; 10 states make the notable lists.
Additional findings include:
- Net state investments in pre-k will increase by 6.3% to $5.2 billion in FY09, providing an estimated 46,000 families with new access to state-funded pre-k.
- In addition to Hawaii, Rhode Island is the only other state of the dozen in “Pre-K Wilderness” (those without a state-funded pre-k program) to take important first steps toward establishing a program.
- The District of Columbia and Louisiana join an elite group of seven states already providing or phasing in pre-k for all children: Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma and West Virginia.
- Nine states anticipate increases for pre-k programs funded through their school funding formulas, the most stable source a state can provide.
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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 Foundation, the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, the Foundation for Child Development, RGK Foundation, CityBridge Foundation, and the Schumann Fund for New Jersey.
The Pew Charitable Trusts (www.pewtrusts.org) is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life. We partner with a diverse range of donors, public and private organizations and concerned citizens who share our commitment to fact-based solutions and goal-driven investments to improve society.
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