New Polls Show Strong Support for High-Quality Pre-K

Surveys indicate likely PA voters continue to prioritize early learning opportunities

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Oct 22, 2014, 10:50 ET

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With Election Day fast approaching, two recent statewide polls of likely Pennsylvania voters demonstrate consistent and strong support for high-quality pre-kindergarten programming and voter prioritization for pre-k has grown. The polls are consistent with a previously released survey that also shows increased voter support for pre-k in the span of just one year.

The two new polls, conducted separately by Pennsylvania-based polling firms Terry Madonna Opinion Research and Susquehanna Polling & Research (SP&R), show that growing majorities favor access to high-quality pre-k for every 3- and 4-year-old child in the Commonwealth. According to the polling:

63 percent consider pre-k a top or high priority (Terry Madonna Opinion Research, September 2014)
58 percent consider pre-k a high or medium priority (SP&R, October 2014)

"With just 13 days until Election Day, these latest poll results further cement the sentiment among Pennsylvania voters that pre-k is a top priority when they head to the voting booth in November," said Steve Wray, executive director of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, a Pre-K for PA coalition member. "Each new poll conducted on the topic shows a strong majority of voters wanting the next Pennsylvania governor to improve access to pre-k."

"Over the past year, Pennsylvania voters have told us time and time again that high-quality pre-k is a necessary component of the education system and must be accessible to all Pennsylvania children," said Chris Murray, vice president of communications and external affairs of United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, also a Pre-K for PA coalition member. "The benefits of pre-k to schools, families and the community are too great to be overlooked – a strong commitment to early education is a must."

Consistent with other recent poll results, voters continue to prioritize pre-k as a top concern. An August 2014 Lake/Bellwether survey found that 58 percent of likely voters consider pre-k a top priority, an increase from 50 percent in December 2013. The two Lake/Bellwether polls were commissioned by Pre-K for PA and used the same methodology.

A summary of the poll findings can be viewed on Pre-K for PA's website at www.prekforpa.org/priority.

Pre-K for PA is an issue campaign supported by thousands of 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. While the campaign neither endorses nor opposes candidates, it advocates on behalf of this vision for Pennsylvania's children, schools and communities. Pre-K for PA's statewide leadership includes United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, Public Citizens for Children and Youth, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children, Pennsylvania Head Start Association, Mission: Readiness and Fight Crime: Invest in Kids.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-polls-show-strong-support-for-high-quality-pre-k-534987213.html

SOURCE Pre-K for PA Campaign