Proponents of universal federal preschool are uniting behind the Strong Start for America’s Children Act, cosponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Rep. George Miller (D-Calif). The legislation would create a federal preschool program for all four-year-old children from low- to moderate-income families in the country.
Heritage estimates the program would cost federal taxpayers $26.8 billion over the first five years, not taking into account state matching funds. Are the billions worth it for the results? After all, Head Start impact studies have shown “little or no net lasting benefit to federal pre-K.”
That hasn’t stopped teachers and parents from using children as props to argue for yet another expensive early learning experiment.
Early education is critical – all children deserve a #strongstart! #education @BarackObama @WhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/xW1ZzHvEmH
— unitedwaybroome (@UnitedWayBroome) January 21, 2014
All kids need a #strongstart , @WhiteHouse . Let's continue the early care and education discussion at #sotu! pic.twitter.com/ikZl48WoyY
— IAFC_Cares (@IAFC_Cares) January 21, 2014
We believe in a #StrongStart for all children! @BarackObama @WhiteHouse #SOTU pic.twitter.com/tfeMr7PIMH
— Ounce of Prevention (@theOunce) January 21, 2014
PCHP gives over 7,000 children each year a #StrongStart, but there are so many more kids in need. @WhiteHouse #SOTU pic.twitter.com/jsaGx8QcBH
— ParentChild+ (@ParentChildPlus) January 21, 2014
Do you want your children and every child to have a #StrongStart in life? Tweet at the @WhiteHouse w/ your photos! pic.twitter.com/ifOwckHcok
— Children's Defense Fund (@ChildDefender) January 21, 2014
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Cleveland kids deserve a #StrongStart. Pres Obama pls talk about #ECE in the #SOTU @WhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/LPoO1ankKt
— The Centers (@TheCentersOhio) January 23, 2014
At last year’s State of the Union address, President Obama stressed the importance of reaching children “at the earliest possible age.”
Graphic: Want to succeed in the game of life? A #StrongStart for our kids & nation begins at birth http://t.co/rL4U7kEULF
— FirstFiveYearsFund (@firstfiveyears) January 27, 2014
Every child deserves a #StrongStart. We hope to see mention of it in @BarackObama’s #SOTU. Follow his speech with us tomorrow.
— WKKF (@WK_Kellogg_Fdn) January 27, 2014
We’re guessing the president will bring up #StrongStart in Tuesday’s address — after all, it’s “a moldy oldie of the progressive left” that seems immune to studies showing it doesn’t work.
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