EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

WHEREAS, 20 years of research have shown that an emphasis on education in the early childhood grades has a significant impact on student performance throughout their educational career; and

WHEREAS, the crack epidemic, homelessness, teenage pregnancy and the increasing level of poverty make the early childhood years especially important; and

WHEREAS, federal, state and local fiscal difficulties may result in lower levels of funding:

RESOLVED, that the AFT reaffirm its vigorous support for expanded services in the early childhood grades in public schools and that we urge the president and Congress to provide adequate funding for this vital element of our society.