Education
Funding:
I have led the charge for full and fair funding of the public education across the state. Additionally, I have secured grants for schools, charter schools, and educational programs throughout the 182nd District. I accept as true that learning is life long, and I believe that state ought to promote education from day care through school to settings for retired citizens.
Charter Schools:
I voted for and strongly support charter schools so that families have quality educational options for their children. I provide resources to local charters to enhance their offerings to area families.
Opposing Tuition Vouchers:
Noting that nothing in the legislation would prevent church schools from raising their tuition the amount of the voucher, I was a leader in the fight to defeat so-called school choice legislation designed to funnel millions of tax dollars to religious groups.
Although the United States Supreme Court cleared the way for tuition vouchers elsewhere, Pennsylvania's constitution prohibits government grants to parents for religious school tuition. I will continue to support this constitutional provision and hope to see an end soon the effort to divert public monies to sectarian purposes.
Babette Responds to Constituents:
Comprehensive Early Learning Centers
June 29, 2005
Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about the Philadelphia School Reform Commission plans for its Comprehensive Early Learning Centers (CELC).
The School Reform Commission (SRC) and I agree entirely with you that early childhood education is the key to closing the achievement gap between disadvantaged and middle-class children. To that end the SRC's goal is to have 85% of Philadelphia public school children in high quality preschool programs by 2008. The District's goal is to raise participation to 80%. Through reprogramming, the District plans to enroll an additional 2,000 children in preschool over the next two years.
Reprogramming will entail closing seven of the 45 CELC's; however, seven new sites, which shall be either Bright Futures or Head Start programs will be opened. Of the remaining sites, eight will remain CELC's, while thirty existing Centers will convert classes either to Bright Futures or Head Start Expansion.
Bright Futures, a free program with certified teachers, serves three and four year old preschoolers; it is modeled after Head Start.
In addition by 2007, the SRC plans an additional 27 Bright Future classes and an expansion of two important programs: Parent Child Home Program, a nationally recognized service with a literacy focus for two and three year olds, and Cradle to Classroom, home visiting for teen parents. Head Start will be expanded as well, contingent on state funding.
CELC staff and Child Care Information Services are currently assisting all families affected by these changes to make alternative plans for childcare. Moreover, affected CELC employees have the opportunity to apply for other positions in the District.
While I regret any problems associated with change, I support the goal of the School Reform Commission to serve as many children as possible. Governor Rendell made a major investment in our future by funding early childhood education in his first budget. I was happy to assist him with my vote and vocal support. I know that children who receive high quality daycare and preschool education are more ready for school than all others and that the skills they have learned and the good study habits they have acquired follow them throughout their schooling and into their adult years.
Yours,
Babette Josephs