[StBernard] EDITORIAL: Governor Blanco's commitment to expand early education praised

[Westley Annis]

EDITORIAL: Lafayette Daily Advertiser echoes national praise of Governor Blanco's commitment to expand early education



Periodically, the press office will publish editorials and columns that feature Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco's work in various areas. 

The Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Early education program praised
Article published Apr 23, 2007
Click here to view the article online. 
<http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070423/OPINION01/704230309/1014/OPINION>  


To paraphrase the Bard of Avon, Gov. Kathleen Blanco has suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous politics since hurricanes Katrina and Rita ripped through the state. It should be exceptionally gratifying to the governor that attention has turned away from the storms in some instances, and worthwhile accomplishments of her administration have been identified and honored.

Pre-K Now, a public educat! ion advocacy group, has high praise for the governor and LA 4, Louisiana's early childhood education program. The program and governor were recognized as among "the elite" nationally in providing educational opportunities to young children.

Pre-K Now Executive Director Libby Dogget said Blanco has worked "to provide Louisiana's youngest learners with the early education opportunities they need to start school prepared to succeed." The advocacy group's report praised the governor's plan to increase funding for LA 4 by $30 million. That would give it an $86.5 million budget and assure state-wide implementation.

"Despite seemingly endless needs across the state, Gov. Blanco, now in her final year in office, recognized that the future of her state is tied to the opportunity it provides for its young people," the report said.

The national recognition of the value of LA 4 is deeply satisfying. As Blanco points out, research shows that 4-year-olds who have participated in LA 4 are performing better, continuing into the third grade than students from similar backgrounds who did not participate.

The Daily Advertiser has been a strong supporter of the program since its inception five years ago. Louisiana has made progress in other areas of education, but the early childhood education initiative is perhaps the most important. Besides having an impact at probably the most critical time in the learning process, it has higher standards than other programs for 4-year-olds.

The most significant difference is the use of teachers certified in early childhood education and aides who have experience working with pre-schoolers. There are before- and after-school programs. Transportation is provided, along with breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack. These features are especially beneficial to working parents.

LA 4 is free for any child who qualifies for the free or reduced-cost lunch programs.

Because funding has been limited, school districts have not had the opportunity to participate in LA 4. Blanco's $30 million increase in the program's budget would allow all eligible students to participate if their school systems establish the program.

With a quality education, poverty-stricken children have a fighting chance to climb out of their destructive circumstances. Giving them the opportunity to begin learning at age 4 helps them keep up with their classmates. It enhances their chances of completing the education process and reaping its benefits. We join Pre-K Now in saluting LA 4 and Blanco's work to enhance and expand it.

###


The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
Louisiana's Fund for Louisiana's People
www.louisianahelp.org