The Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition's #1 priority this session is to support full-day high-quality pre-k programs with an emphasis on local, integrated community-based partnerships.  Thankfully Senator Judith Zaffirini and Representative Diane Patrick authored Senate Bill 21 and House Bill 130, identical companion bills which would provide state formula funding to allow districts to voluntarily expand pre-k programs to a full-day for currently eligible four-year-old children.

What's more, the bills would require districts to implement the following quality standards: class size limits, staff-to-child ratios, highly-qualified teachers, approved curriculum, and school readiness components.  These bills would benefit all sectors of the early childhood education landscape in Texas, should they become law, because the legislation requires a certain percentage of partnerships between school districts and Head Start or child care programs.

We urge all Texans to get behind this bi-partisan legislative effort to increase the quality of pre-k in Texas.  Please take this opportunity to send your Legislator an email, asking him or her to support Senate Bill 21 and House Bill 130.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I want to personally thank you for your service to Texas in the Texas Legislature. I am a member of your district and a strong supporter of high-quality early education. I am writing you today to urge you to work to ensure that HB 130 and SB 21 pass the Texas Legislature this session.

These bills would allow many school districts to implement full-day pre-k programs for currently eligible children. They also emphasize improving pre-k quality, as well as building cost-saving partnerships between school districts and Head Start and child care facilities.

Because of the importance of early learning, the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University found that every $1.00 we invest in high-quality pre-k--such as child care, Head Start, and Public School Pre-k--saves Texas communities at least $3.50. Savings are realized through improved high school graduation rates, fewer referrals to special education, less involvement with the criminal justice system, and greater lifetime earnings for individuals receiving a high-quality early education.

Currently 94 members of the Texas House have signed on as either Authors or Co-Authors of HB 130, and 13 members of the Senate have signed on in support of Senate Bill 21. Support for both bills is bi-partisan and from all geographic regions of Texas. It is important to me that you do all you can to ensure the passage of these bills.

Again, thank you for your service in the Texas Legislature.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 15, 2009