FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, Sept. 26, 2005
Contact: Dan Farough
Phone: (517) 373-2093
LANSING - In a move that would open the doors of opportunity to tens of thousands of children, House Democrats announced today a goal to give all Michigan 4-year-olds access to high-quality preschool.
"Preschool is the foundation of a child's education," state Rep. LaMar Lemmons III (D-Detroit) said. "Early education starts children on a path toward a lifetime of learning and achievement."
The Democratic plan would be phased in over five years, leading to access to high-quality early education for all 140,000 4-year-olds in Michigan by 2010. The plan would begin in 2006, initially doubling the number of Michigan School Readiness Program preschoolers from 25,000 to 50,000. The plan also would provide scholarships to boost the number of teachers trained in early childhood education.
"If our state wants to succeed in a globalized economy, then we must provide universal access to preschool," said Rep. Bill McConico (D-Detroit). "These same children will one day compete for the high-tech jobs that the workforce demands today and tomorrow. It is up to us to prepare our children for this competitive future."
The package of bills also requires all licensed day-care facilities to be given a quality rating and for the rating to be publicly available to parents.
"Studies show that children who attend preschool are more likely to perform better throughout school, earn more money as adults, become better citizens and help create stronger communities," said Rep. Steve Tobocman (D-Detroit).
"Michigan's success in the future depends on how we lay the foundation," said Rep. Gabe Leland (D-Detroit). "Universal access to preschool allows us to build a stronger future for children, which is a formula for achievement. We must begin educating our children early."
Detroit Democrats praised Governor Jennifer M. Granholm for her leadership in promoting early childhood education in Michigan.
Studies show that 90 percent of the human brain develops before the age of 5. Linguistic, conceptual, language and social skills are honed during this stage. Other studies, such as the massive Abecedarian and High/Scope Perry studies, show extensive benefits to preschool, including greater academic success throughout a child's school career. The High/Scope Perry study showed that children who graduated quality preschool earned $2,000 more a month than those who did not attend preschool, and were far less likely to commit crimes.
The Abecedarian study, done in North Carolina, showed that preschool also had societal implications: Mothers of children enrolled in preschool but who lived in poverty tended to further their education and get better, higher-paying jobs.
To read about the Abecedarian study, go to: www.fpg.unc.edu/~abc/