Washington, D.C. — Center for American Progress President Neera Tanden released the following statement reacting to the news that the New York State Senate approved $540 million per year for the next five years to fund free full-day prekindergarten and after-school programs in New York City:
We are now one giant step closer to ensuring access to preschool for all children in the nation’s largest school district. This is a smart investment in our future that will reap benefits in the long run. Children who attend high-quality preschool programs enter school with the skills they need to succeed and are less likely to need remedial education and more likely to graduate from high school. New York has shown the country that when Republicans and Democrats work together, we can achieve great outcomes for children and families. Mayor Bill de Blasio deserves tremendous credit for getting the debate to this point, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo and leaders from both parties can help deliver real results for New York’s children. Congress can follow New York’s example and pass the Strong Start for America’s Children Act to expand preschool access for children across the country.
To speak with a CAP expert on this topic, contact Katie Peters at [email protected] or 202.741.6285.
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