JUNEAU - Today a new report confirmed Alaska still ranks last in the nation in providing pre-K education help to children. The new Rutgers University study, "The State of Preschool 2008," states that Alaska is tied for last place with 12 other states that don't provide statewide early learning to children before kindergarten. The study was referenced in a New York Times article.
Reps Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks), Chris Tuck, Les Gara and Pete Petersen (all D-Anchorage) are prime sponsors on legislation to remedy this last place ranking. Rep. Tuck is the lead prime sponsor on HB 69, which follows the successful "Parents as Teachers" model. It was passed in by the House Education Committee today.
Kawasaki has taken the lead on HB 59, a bill that would establish a statewide plan and guidelines for early education.
"It's time to move Alaska's early education commitment out of the basement and into the classroom," Kawasaki said. "You can't provide our children with the education they deserve without a plan, with goals and standards. We want Alaska to blaze the trail on education, not trail the pack."
"Alaska's children are one of our best investments, and we should do all we can to support," Tuck said. "They are our future workforce, and the key to our state's prosperity. I'd like to see Alaska at the number one slot, and believe that we can find cost-effective and successful solutions for our children and our state's future."
"Every respected study shows that when you stimulate a child's mind, either in a strong home educational setting, or in pre-school, you help children succeed," Gara said. "When every study says educating children early produces adults who work in larger numbers, graduate high school and college in higher numbers, and cost society less in jail and law enforcement expenses, you should take note."