Leaders Renew Push For Pre-K Funding
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA group of education and business leaders is continuing a call for state legislators to provide sustainable funding for early childhood education. Indiana is one of nine states that does not use public funding to support pre-kindergarten education. Indianapolis-based Day Nursery Chief Executive Officer Ted Maple says there is an increased “sense of urgency” among schools and businesses to prepare tomorrow's work force for their school careers. Maple was part of a special (i) on Education INsiders Panel on Inside INdiana Business Television. Northeast Indiana-based Big Goal Collaborative Director Ryan Twiss says many manufacturers are coming to understand what it takes to bring students to the education and training level needed to fill their high-tech openings.
PNC Bank Regional President Connie Bond Stuart says every dollar invested in early childhood education now can generate a return of $7-$16 in savings down the road in remediation and other costs. She says there are not enough highly-qualified educators, adding that “the education that worked 50 years ago does not work for today's work force.”
The education panel included Maple, Twiss, Stuart and Monument Lighthouse College Prep Academy Principal Jagga Rent, who says there also needs to be a focus on educating parents on how to create a household that encourages high-level learning.
Source: Inside INdiana Business