EDUCATION COMMITTEE HEARING ON UNIVERSAL PRE-K

“Providing full-day pre-K to all students is a huge step in the right direction: done right, it means better-prepared students with a greater shot at achievement across the five boroughs. However, it all comes down to the actual quality of the pre-K seats we’re creating, especially in the city’s low-income neighborhoods – where enhanced early childhood options are needed the most. In order to reach the goals voiced by parents and elected officials alike, this program must be implemented and scaled quickly as well as efficiently. High-performing charter schools have a proven track record of providing high quality elementary education starting with Kindergarten – so it only makes sense to allow them to start their high-quality programs at a younger age to make a difference for New York’s neediest families. Charter school educators are ready to partner with Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Mark-Viverito and the Administration to make New York’s expansion of pre-Kindergarten the historic success it must be.”