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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 25, 2021 10:05 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Isabella V. Fitzgerald and Rep. Stephen Kinsey |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Study on Impact of Universal Free Full-Day Kindergarten |
| Pennsylvania needs to do more to ensure that the “K” in “K-12” is available for all children. Research suggests that full-day kindergarten can help improve language and literacy skills, increase student achievement, enhance social and emotional skill development, and decrease the need for remediation in later years. Access to free, full-day kindergarten also provides a significant economic benefit for families – especially working mothers – by offering a predictable, safe, and high-quality learning environment for children. While enrollments in full-day kindergarten have increased, many children across the Commonwealth still lack access to free full-day kindergarten, creating costs for both families and taxpayers. For that reason, I am introducing a resolution to urge the Department of Education to conduct a comprehensive study to explore the impacts of providing universal access to free, full-day kindergarten for all 5-year-olds and their families. This study would provide a comprehensive look at what it would take to implement universal full-day free kindergarten for all children ages 5 and older, including impacts on children, families, education institutions, and communities, with findings provided to the General Assembly after one year. This study will provide invaluable information about how we can best provide for the well-being of our children. Please join me by co-sponsoring this important resolution. |
Introduced as HR66