10 days to go!

Home | About | Contact | Join

Take Action

Tell a Friend

Donate Now

In The News

Issues

10 days to go!

That’s right advocates: only two more steps to go. HB 130 now only needs to pass the Senate and clear the Governor’s desk.

We need all hands on deck at this point. There’s just 10 days left in the 81st Texas Legislature. We are in strong position to pass HB 130 into law, but we have to remain vocal and organized in order to do so.

Please click the link to your right to send your Senator an important message today asking him or her to support HB 130 on the Senate Floor. This will be a busy weekend in the Senate Chamber, let’s make sure pre-k is part of the discussion.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Please vote for HB 130

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a member of your constituency, I want to let you know that I support HB 130. Our state needs to make tough decisions with our tax dollars, and investing in early childhood learning generates an incredible rate of return for our dollars.

HB 130 is built on compromise, and it represents a bi-partisan effort to improve early education for young learners in Texas. The current version of the bill contains new accountability elements, remains completely voluntary, and continues to emphasize enhanced proven pre-k quality measures.

As you may know already HB 130, relating to an enhanced quality full-day prekindergarten program provided by public school districts in conjunction with community providers, was voted favorably out of the Senate Committee on Education (6-0) on Thursday afternoon. The bill will now move to Senate floor, where I hope I can count on your vote in support of it.

Because of the incredible 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.

Right now, Texas has an amazing opportunity to improve the quality of pre-k for many children in the state. I support House Bill 130, and I hope you will too.

Thank you for your time and your service to our great state.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 22, 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.