Former Governors Rendell, Schweiker Travel Across PA in Support of Pre-K, Call for Increased State Investment in Early Learning

ERIE, Pa., June 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former Pennsylvania governors, democrat Ed Rendell and republican Mark Schweiker, today crisscrossed the commonwealth travelling from Erie to Philadelphia to highlight the need for expanded access to high-quality pre-k as a necessary step toward growing Pennsylvania's economy and building the skilled work force required to attract businesses and create new jobs.

In the morning, the governors headlined a Pre-K for PA rally in Erie hosted by the United Way of Erie County sponsored by the Erie Community Foundation with hundreds of educators, administrators, community and business leaders and preschoolers. After hosting a call with reporters from across the commonwealth, they traveled to downtown Philadelphia where they met with dozens of business and civic leaders at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. The former governors encouraged business leaders to advocate for expanded early learning opportunities as a key strategy to strengthen Pennsylvania's economy and grow the Commonwealth's economic competitiveness.

"Study after study shows the proven benefits of quality early learning," said former Governor Ed Rendell.  "From lower drop out and crime rates to stronger communities and businesses the reasons to expand access are mounting.  The time has come for our state elected officials to generate the political will to invest in our human capital by offering high-quality pre-k to all Pennsylvania children."

"This is not just an education issue – this is an economic issue," former Governor Mark Schweiker said. "As governor, I laid the groundwork for expanding early learning and Governor Rendell advanced it significantly because we knew that access to high-quality pre-k is imperative if Pennsylvania is going to grow and thrive.  Progress continues, but Pennsylvania still lags behind. This is an issue that has support on both sides of the aisle – so it's time for us to come together and make the kind of investment in pre-k that is necessary to ensure the success of our kids and our economy."

Mark Schweiker was Pennsylvania's governor from 2001 to 2003. He was succeeded by Ed Rendell, who served as governor from 2003-2011. In 2002, then-Governor Schweiker convened a 33-member Early Childhood Care and Education Task Force that developed numerous recommendations for improving early learning opportunities and boosting school readiness. Governor Rendell's Administration implemented many of those recommendations, including Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts. Pre-K Counts was launched in 2007 to significantly expand access to high-quality pre-k for Pennsylvania's children.  The Commonwealth's Early Learning Investment Commission was then established in 2008 to strengthen the link between quality early learning opportunities and a robust Pennsylvania economy.

Pre-K for PA is an issue campaign supported by individuals and organizations across Pennsylvania who believe that investing in our children is the right choice and an urgent necessity.  Our vision is that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania will have access to high-quality pre-k. We will not endorse nor oppose candidates, but rather we will advocate on behalf of this vision for Pennsylvania's children, schools and communities.

SOURCE Pre-K for PA Campaign