Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005
Contact: George Cushingberry
Phone: (517) 373-2276
LANSING - Armed with the latest study done in Oklahoma showing great educational gains for children, State Representative George Cushingberry (D-Detroit) called for the Legislature to make high-quality early education available to all 4-year-olds in Michigan.
"This study proves how important and essential preschool is for our children," Rep. Cushingberry said. "Our children need a strong educational foundation, which will lead to a lifetime of learning and achievement. Our children have to be prepared to compete for the high-paying technical jobs of the future and preschool is a solid step Michigan must take."
Published in the November issue of Developmental Psychology, the study tested 4,500 children in Tulsa, Okla. Researchers found that 4-year-olds with preschool education were 7 months ahead in reading, 6 months ahead in writing and 4 months ahead in math compared with children who did not have preschool.
"Those are enormous gains," the study's author William Gormley of Georgetown University told National Public Radio today.
House Democrats are introducing legislation to double the number of Michigan children in high-quality early education and preschool programs next year. The goal is to make it available to all 4-year-olds in the state by 2010. The legislation also will make more scholarships available in high-quality early-education training and set up a rating system for day care so parents can ensure their children receive high-quality early childhood care.
"This study proves that children who attend preschool tend to do better throughout school, earn a higher salary as adults, and help establish strong communities," Rep. Cushingberry said. "Our children deserve to have the best tools needed for them to compete for jobs and for them to make a strong contribution to our society.
Oklahoma is one of three states that offer all its 4-year-olds access to high-quality preschool. The NPR report said of the Oklahoma program's success: "Tens of thousands of 4-year-olds from diverse social and racial backgrounds can be ready to learn, ready for school."