ICYMI: Pennsylvania's Early Childhood Education Program Turns 10

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 26, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This month, Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera and Department of Human Services Acting Secretary Teresa Miller celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the creation of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) at the Early Childhood Education Summit in State College.

"The 10-year anniversary of OCDEL marks a highlight in the commonwealth's history, an event that officially formed a support network for Pennsylvania's educators, students, families, and social workers," said Sec. Rivera. "Today, the Office continues to advance its founding mission: to improve the lives of Pennsylvania's youngest children, their families, and communities. It is a charge that could not be more vital to the well-being of children and youth, but also our state."

OCDEL's creation in 2007 marked a significant milestone for early childhood education in Pennsylvania, but was also an unprecedented collaboration between two state agencies that inspired change at a national level. After Pennsylvania's creation of OCDEL, a similar partnership was formed between the United States Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.

Research suggests that children who participate in high-quality early childhood education programs perform better in school, graduate at higher rates, and earn more throughout their lives compared to their peers who do not have access to early learning programs.

Early childhood education is a top priority for Governor Wolf and a major component of his "Schools that Teach" initiative. The final enacted 2017-2018 budget secured a $25 million increase for Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts and a $5 million increase for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program. Since Governor Wolf took office in January 2015, the commonwealth has invested $90 million in expanding access to these high-quality prekindergarten services.

OCDEL's mission is to create opportunities for the commonwealth's youngest children to develop and learn to their fullest potential. This goal is accomplished through a framework of supports and systems that help ensure that children and their families have access to high quality services. By providing an effective early childhood education system with high standards for programs and professionals, supports to meet these standards, and accountability and community engagement, OCDEL builds a strong foundation for children from birth to age 5.

For more information about Pennsylvania's education policies and programs, or to read the ESSA Consolidated State Plan, visit the Department of Education's website at www.education.pa.gov or follow PDE on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.  

MEDIA CONTACT: Casey Smith, 717-783-9802

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Education

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us