In Philadelphia, Gov. Tom Wolf Urges Better Funding For Early Education Across Pennsylvania
By Paul Kurtz
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Gov. Tom Wolf was in Philadelphia today, discussing the future of education at a conference of the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (DVAEYC).
A friendly crowd greeted the governor, who earlier this month proposed $2 billion in additional funding for early education in Pennsylvania over the next four years.
"There is not a better investment that we can make as a commonwealth that invests in early childhood education," he said at the Pennsylvania Convention Center meeting. "If we get that right, it really works -- right?"
The results, says Wolf, are better students and higher graduation rates.
The governor also said he's had preliminary talks about his proposal with state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
While that process plays out, the childhood educators will be holding a fundraiser called "Pennies for Pre-K."
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"We're taking this campaign all across Pennsylvania, into early childhood programs, and we're inviting children and families to collect pennies so that we can bring them to Harrisburg this spring and present them to our legislature," said DVAEYC executive director Sharon Easterling (at left in photo).