The Children’s Alliance/Early Learning Action Alliance/The Associated Press
When Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a plan to overhaul Washington’s K-12 education system into law, she stoked the ire of early education advocates by vetoing a provision that would have added preschool for at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds to the state’s definition of basic education. The governor argued that all children deserve preschool, not just at-risk kids.
Here are some of the statements child advocacy groups released after the Gregoire signed the new law:
“The Children’s Alliance is supportive of efforts to improve the K-12 system, and we know we will never realize the kind of achievement we hope for from our K-12 students if we fail to address the fact that low-income children and children of color are routinely denied the opportunity to enter kindergarten prepared to succeed. Legislators recognized the importance of helping kids who need it most get the opportunity to enter school ready to succeed. This was an opportunity lost.” – Paola Maranan, executive director of the Children’s Alliance
“I really believe that the decision by the Governor today is a step backwards for our state and for the many children like my son who need a little extra help to get ready for school and to live a full life. “ – Lucy Kee, vice chairwoman of the Washington State Association of Head Start and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, and a parent of a child enrolled in the ECEAP program.
“Quality early learning is the gateway to a good education and the economic opportunities that follow. We agree with the Governor’s statement that early learning should be available to every child in the state. But instead of taking a first step in that direction, her decision to veto House Bill 2261’s early learning provisions takes a big step backwards. We are all the poorer for it.” – Hannah Lidman, Senior Policy Associate, Economic Opportunity Institute
