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Iowa Senate President says universal preschool is helping more Iowa kids succeed

DES MOINES – Iowa Senate President Pam Jochum said this month that new studies show that Iowa’s preschool initiative, which provides at least ten hours per week of age-appropriate instruction to thousands of Iowa Children and costs approximately $60 million, is paying dividends. She also pointed to new legislation that looks to expand the program and ensure universal access to preschool for all four-year-olds in Iowa.

According to Senator Jochum:

Pam Jochum
Pam Jochum

Since 2007, Iowa’s Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program has worked to make preschool available to all students from all backgrounds. School districts collaborate with a variety of state, federal and community partners, including Head Start and Shared Visions, as well as faith-based, private and non-profit preschools.

Prior to the program, when Iowa targeted preschool to certain families or to children with disabilities, only 19 percent of 3 and 4 year old kids in Iowa received a high-quality preschool education. By the fall of 2012, almost 21,500 Iowa preschoolers (55 percent) were receiving the benefits of the statewide preschool initiative, which provides at least ten hours per week of age-appropriate instruction. Cost to the state is approximately $60 million.

Two recent reports show positive results for students who attend the state preschool classes. Fewer students from low-income families who attend the state preschool require intensive intervention after they enter kindergarten. Children who attend preschool are less likely to drop out of school, repeat grades, need special education or get into trouble with the law than children who did not attend preschool.

However not all preschool age children are able to attend the Iowa Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program. For that reason, the Senate Education Committee is working on legislation to ensure universal access to preschool for all four-year-olds in Iowa (Senate Study Bill 3155). The legislation covers the costs of ensuring universal access to preschool across the state.

Senator Amanda Ragan also lauded the benefits of universal preschool:

Senator Amanda Ragan
Senator Amanda Ragan
Since 2007, Iowa’s Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program has worked to make preschool available to all students from all backgrounds. School districts collaborate with a variety of state, federal and community partners, including Head Start and Shared Visions, as well as faith-based, private and non-profit preschools.

Prior to the current program, only 19 percent of 3 and 4-year-old children in Iowa received a high-quality preschool education. By the fall of 2012, almost 55 percent of preschool age children were receiving the benefits of the statewide preschool initiative, which provides at least 10 hours per week of age-appropriate instruction.

Two recent reports show positive results for students who attend the state preschool classes. Fewer students from low-income families who attend the state preschool require intensive intervention after they enter kindergarten. Children who attend preschool are less likely to drop out of school, repeat grades, need special education or get into trouble with the law than children who do not attend preschool.

However, not all preschool age children are able to attend Iowa’s Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program. For that reason, the Senate Education Committee is working on legislation to ensure universal access to preschool for all 4-year-olds in Iowa.

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