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Article: Pre-K politics in the states: Pennsylvania and Illinois have made early childhood education a priority. Can other states--and Washington--learn from their example?(EARLY EDUCATION)(pre-kindergarten)
- Article from:
- The American Prospect
- Article date:
- December 1, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 The American Prospect, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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AS A CANDIDATE IN 2002, GOV. ROD Blagojevich of Illinois promised voters that his administration would boost investments in early childhood programs. He ratcheted up funding by $30 million each year for his first three years in office, helping reach 25,000 more of the state's neediest children. But in 2006, he came out with his biggest promise yet: quality, universal preschool for all 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds.
"Nothing is more important to parents than their children, and nothing is more important to a child's future than getting a good education," said Blagojevich in a press statement at the time his proposal was released. "And that's where preschool comes ...