Pennsylvania Voters Support State-Funded Early Childhood Education

New Poll: by near three-to-one margin, ECE top priority

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An overwhelming majority of voters across all regions of Pennsylvania support continued government investment in quality early childhood education (ECE), according to a new poll released on February 17, 2010 by the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC), the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (DVAEYC) and the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC).  

More than four in five voters across the Commonwealth (81%) support providing early childhood education to all children in Pennsylvania, with a near three-to-one margin of voters who believe ECE should be state-funded (71% in favor).

Support for the programs also crosses ideological lines. Approximately seven in ten conservatives (70%) favor quality early childhood programs, while nine in ten self-described liberals (92%) and moderates (88%) also express support.

Support of quality early childhood education programs is consistent across the state:

• In the T, the rural swath of the state outside of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, voters indicate strong support for quality early childhood education, with 88 percent in the Scranton- Wilkes Barre media market, 81 percent in Johnstown-Altoona, and 69 percent in Harrisburg-Lancaster-York favoring the programs;
• In Western Pennsylvania, three in four voters (75%) in the Pittsburgh media market favor early childhood education; and
• In Southeastern Pennsylvania, over four in five voters (81%) favor early childhood education, including an overwhelming 96 percent in Philadelphia, 80 percent in the suburbs, and 87 percent in the Berks-Lehigh area.

Voters express a commitment to continue the investment Pennsylvania has already made, with three in four voters (75%) favoring reliable and affordable education for children in quality early childhood education programs.  Voters also firmly oppose cutting funding for quality early childhood education programs for children 0 to 5 years of age in order to balance the state's budget. Even in the context of addressing Pennsylvania's budget deficit, three in five voters (62%) oppose slashing funds for early childhood education, with only one in three voters (33%) in support. The two-to-one margin is indicative of voter priorities toward maintaining funds for these programs.

"Pennsylvania voters recognize the importance of quality ECE because of its meaningful and lasting results in educational performance.  Young children (0-5 years old) must have access to high-quality, developmentally-appropriate education, as it provides key resources to children during the most critical stage in brain development," said Sharon Easterling, Executive Director of DVAEYC.  "We urge all gubernatorial candidates and Pennsylvania lawmakers to speak out about the scientific logic, the fiscal prudence and the moral imperative of investing in Pennsylvania's youngest children – answering the call the voters of the Commonwealth have made for ECE."

According to an analysis conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, for every dollar Pennsylvania spends on early childhood education, society reaps a return of up to 17 dollars through reduction in criminal activity, remedial education, and public assistance costs.  

"The short-term economic benefits of early childhood education are savings in education costs, a more stable/productive workforce, gains for working families in health, schooling and earnings, and decreased child abuse," said Michelle Figlar, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC).

"Pennsylvania stands to save money by saving quality early childhood education programs rather than cutting them," says Jodi Askins, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC). "Governor Rendell announced a 4 percent increase in spending for education in his 2010/2011 Budget Address, bringing the investment to $11.8 million.  PennAEYC and its partners are working to ensure the Pennsylvania Legislature and citizens continue to recognize the importance of providing and investing in early childhood education across the Commonwealth for the benefit of children and adults."

The long-term economic benefits of quality ECE, as shown in forty years of research across the country, include reduced crime, higher education levels, and higher employment and earnings for participants in high quality early education programs, with calculation of returns ranging from 3% to 17%.

About the poll:

Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (DVAEYC), Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC) and the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC) hired Tulchin Research to conduct a poll measuring aspects of voter support for quality early childhood education across the state of Pennsylvania. From December 15 – December 20, Tulchin Research conducted a telephone survey of 650 likely voters in Pennsylvania, with 600 voters statewide and an oversample of 50 voters in the Southeastern PA. The margin of error is +/- 3.9 percentage points for the statewide sample.  For the full three-page summary of results, please contact Kathleen English at 267-974-1250 or [email protected].

About PennAEYC:

The Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children and its two largest affiliates in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia represent nearly 5,500 early childhood education professionals in the Commonwealth. The AEYC groups are affiliated with the National Association for the Education of Young Children and work to improve educational opportunity for young children by improving program quality and public support for early childhood education.  www.pennaeyc.org

SOURCE Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC)