Alaska pre-K programs are working

To the editor:

Alaska’s pre-kindergarten program, an important aspect of our investment in educating our children, is in jeopardy. The program, which was designed to help children catch up with their more advanced peers, was established by Democratic legislators with the Palin administration.

As a first-grade teacher, I have seen firsthand how important pre-K programs are. Learning critical language skills, these children are more apt to enter school ready to succeed.

Our Alaska pre-K programs are working. School districts have implemented pre-K programs, which complement the federal Head Start program. Since those programs began, the state has analyzed student achievement to determine program effectiveness. Over half are behind their peers in reading comprehension and language skills when they enter the program. Half of those students move out of the lowest-achieving group, a remarkable accomplishment in only a single year of pre-K.

Unfortunately, the chairwoman of the Early Education Subcommittee of House Finance has been trying to defund the state’s pre-K program ever since it got started. Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, has cut or eliminated its funding each year. Fortunately, senators, including former Sen. Linda Menard, have restored the funding. Given the mindset of the current Legislature, the protection of that funding is no longer assured.

Parents and educators must help to protect the Pre-K program. A little early investment provides disadvantaged children so many advantages for the future. Contact your legislators to ask that we maintain Alaska’s highly successful pre-K program.

Jackie Tanttila

Wasilla