EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

WHEREAS, substantial and continuing research demonstrates the value of high-quality preschool programs for enhancing the long-term social and intellectual development of children; and

WHEREAS, increasing numbers of young children are from families headed by a single parent or from families with two working parents; and

WHEREAS, the benefits that accrue from a high-quality early childhood experience should be available to all children rather than solely to those whose families are able to pay for these services:

RESOLVED, that the AFT reaffirm its support for preschool programs in the public schools in small classes, staffed by licensed and certified personnel and paraprofessionals; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT lobby for federal funding of early childhood education so that adequate funds are available to provide for preschool programs for all children in public schools.