Tomorrow is the big day

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Tomorrow is the big day

HB 130 is coming up for vote in the Senate Committee on Education tomorrow, and we need your help to ensure it has the votes to make it out of committee.

As you know already, HB 130, relating to full-day high-quality pre-k is TECEC’s #1 priority. Our members have done an amazing job getting the message out to legislators about importance of this bill. We are so close to the finish line, but we can’t let up now. In fact now that time is a major factor in determining what bills will get passed we need to be more vocal than ever.

If any group can get it done, early education advocates can! Please send members of the Senate Education Committee an email today, encouraging them to vote to pass HB 130 out of committee.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Please vote for HB 130

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I want to personally thank you for your service to Texas in the Senate Committee on Education. This position gives you the opportunity to positively impact the education of Texas children.

To improve the quality of early education in Texas, I hope you will vote to move House Bill 130 favorably out of the Senate Committee on Education.

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

I am a supporter of early education in Texas, and I hope that while serving as a member of the Senate Committee on Education, you will remember that the most critical period of human brain development occurs between the ages birth-to-five.

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.

Again, thank you for your service to Texas and please support Senate House Bill 130.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 20, 2009

Background Information

Research shows that compared with half-day pre-k, full-day quality programs are a significant factor in closing the educational achievement gap.
Full-day pre-k programs allow working parents who need full-day care increased flexibility and ensures safety and quality learning throughout the day for young children.

Texas currently has no requirements regarding pre-k class size or child-to-staff ratio, two indicators of early education program quality.

An integrated approach to early care and education that includes community-based partnerships with child care and Head Start programs allows school districts to save tax dollars by partnering with existing facilities rather than building new facilities or purchasing temporary buildings.

Recent changes in the Pre-k Expansion Grant Program (now called the Early Start Grant Program), which supports many districts in the voluntary expansion of their pre-k day may result in the loss of many full-day programs currently operating throughout the state. Senate Bill 21 and House Bill 130, can ensure that many of these districts do not have to discontinue their full-day programs.