Jim Steyer
Now that Gov. Jerry Brown has introduced his revised budget plan, a month-long negotiation over the state’s priorities has begun. Unfortunately, the governor’s spending blueprint is still missing a key investment in preschool-age children, even though California continues to sorely lag in preschool enrollment.
According to a recent report by the National Institute for Early Education Research, preschool enrollment in California dropped by almost 15,000 spots in 2012-2013, dragging down the national average down, despite most states making improvements in enrollment.
Buoyed by an even stronger fiscal outlook from the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), California now has an enormous opportunity to make a smart and reasonable investments in its youngest children by providing funding that would make quality preschool opportunities open to all California families. Political leaders in the Golden State should take note of what’s happening around the country, and assume a strong leadership role by investing in the state’s youngest and most important citizens.
Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg has made new funding for preschool programs a top priority, and Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins is on board. But the governor has yet to commit to providing state funds for a program that will have a dramatic and positive impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of California children and families.
After years of deficits in Sacramento, the state’s finances have finally stabilized. California now has the means, and most importantly the responsibility, to make wise investments in our future. No other investment could have more benefit than investing in high-quality preschool programs for Why a “fair start” is so important for California’s kids | EdSource Today: