Children benefit greatly from programs that develop learning skills before they reach kindergarten age. Most children in Pennsylvania now receive their pre-kindergarten education in successful nonpublic programs. Some of those children’s families are helped to some extent by the laudable Pre-K Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, but the unmet demand for scholarship assistance under that program is extraordinarily high.
State Representatives Thomas Quigley (R-Montgomery) and Jim Christiana (R-Beaver, Washington) are seeking cosponsors HB 1442, which would give even more children a better chance for success in school and in life. Their proposal would create a state-funded program that allows eligible families to apply for and receive grants to meet the costs of their children’s attendance at safe, caring and effective public or nonpublic pre-school programs.
UPDATE: Senator Scott Hutchinson (R-Butler, Clarion, Forest, Venango and Warren Counties) is seeking co-sponsors for similar pre-school assistance legislation in the State Senate.
