HARRISBURG, PA - Corbett-Cawley Campaign Manager Mike Barley released the following statement after Governor Corbett’s leadership and commitment to education was recognized with a “Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge” grant award:

“Today’s announcement recognizes Governor Corbett’s leadership and ongoing commitment to fighting for Pennsylvania’s future generations. Since taking office, Governor Corbett has fought to put more resources in the classroom for our children and teachers, increasing funding for early childhood development and providing historic support for basic education.”

“Governor Corbett is keeping his promise that Pennsylvania was going to stop kicking the can down the road, tackling the tough issues to get state spending under control, close a $4.2 billion budget deficit, invest more in education and our roads and bridges, and give the private sector the tools they need to grow our economy and create more jobs, ensuring Pennsylvania’s future holds more opportunity and prosperity for our children and grandchildren.”

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Governor Corbett Leads on Early Childhood Education

PA Succeeds in “Race to the Top”: “Six states, including Pennsylvania, were announced as winners today of a combined $280 million in government grants to improve early learning programs for babies, toddlers and preschoolers… This is the third time these early learning grants have been issued. Fourteen other states were previous winners. In total, nearly $1 billion in grants has been distributed. The winning states must show a willingness to carry out comprehensive improvements to programs focused on children from birth to age 5.” (“Pa. among 6 states receiving $280M in early learning grants,” Associated Press, 12/19/13)

PA Awarded $51.7 Million: “Governor Tom Corbett today announced that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded Pennsylvania $51.7 million…Over the next four years, the grant will be used to support Governor Corbett’s vision for early childhood education in Pennsylvania, which includes closing the school readiness gap that exists between children with high needs and their peers as well as increasing the number of children who are able to read and do math at grade level by the end of third grade.” (Office of the Governor, “Governor Corbett Lauds Pennsylvania’s $51.7 Million Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant Award,” Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 12/19/13)

Funding Corbett Initiatives on Early Education:

Boosting Low-Performing Schools: “Establishing 50 local Early Childhood Education Community Innovation Zones to serve the lowest-performing elementary schools in the state. Each zone will complete a comprehensive needs assessment and with assistance from the state each area will develop strategies focused on increasing family supports and engagement; developing stronger relationships between early childhood education programs and school districts; and strengthening the network of community organizations that serve families with young children.” (Office of the Governor, “Governor Corbett Lauds Pennsylvania’s $51.7 Million Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant Award,” Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 12/19/13)

Improving Access: “Improving access for children with high needs to high-quality early learning and development programs.” (Office of the Governor, “Governor Corbett Lauds Pennsylvania’s $51.7 Million Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant Award,” Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 12/19/13)

Teacher Development: “Increasing access and delivery of high-quality professional development for early learning educators.” (Office of the Governor, “Governor Corbett Lauds Pennsylvania’s $51.7 Million Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant Award,” Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 12/19/13)

Early Learning Development: “Developing a no-cost universal Kindergarten Entry Inventory for voluntary use by schools to better understand the needs of students entering kindergarten.” (Office of the Governor, “Governor Corbett Lauds Pennsylvania’s $51.7 Million Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant Award,” Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 12/19/13)

Collaboration: “Operating four Governor’s Institutes for nearly 3,000 pre-kindergarten to third-grade educators and practitioners to experience and share strategies and best practices.” (Office of the Governor, “Governor Corbett Lauds Pennsylvania’s $51.7 Million Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant Award,” Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 12/19/13)

Governor Corbett’s Continuing Investment in Education

Historic Support for Pennsylvania Education: “Governor Tom Corbett’s budget provides record education funding and increases funding in early childhood intervention, early learning, childcare subsidies and health insurance enrollment efforts. Most notably, it includes a record $11.63 billion in early, basic and higher education funding for Pennsylvania’s students…” (Department of Education, “Governor Corbett’s Budget Includes Record $11.63 Billion in State Education Funding, Additional Investments in Pennsylvania’s Children,” Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 07/01/13)

$1.17 Billion Increase in State Support of Public Schools: “Since taking office, Corbett has increased state support of public schools by $1.17 billion, or 14 percent.” (Department of Education, “Governor Corbett’s Budget Includes Record $11.63 Billion in State Education Funding, Additional Investments in Pennsylvania’s Children,” Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 07/01/13)

$43 Million Increase in Early Childhood Education Programming: “As a strong believer and supporter of early childhood education, Governor Corbett has increased the state’s support of early education programs by $43 million over the last three years.” (Office of the Governor, “Governor Corbett Lauds Pennsylvania’s $51.7 Million Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant Award,” Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 12/19/13)

Early Childhood Education - 2013-2014 Budget Increases: “In the 2013-14 state budget, Governor Corbett increased funding for Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance by $6.4 million, which is serving an additional 1,000 students. The budget also included an additional $6.8 million for Early Intervention, $6.5 million for Keystone STARS and $9.3 million for the child care subsidy program. These funds will be used to provide services to more Pennsylvania children as well as enhance program quality.” (Office of the Governor, “Governor Corbett Lauds Pennsylvania’s $51.7 Million Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant Award,” Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 12/19/13)

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