Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) Supports President Obama's Budget Plan to Fund Preschool
Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) fully supports President Obama for putting forth a budget today focused on the investment of quality preschool education for four-year-olds throughout the nation. The president’s leadership and commitment to the field of early education should be commended, as every child deserves the chance to thrive and grow.
“The president’s plan falls right in line with what LAUP has been doing for nearly a decade, and the new budget is a tremendous step forward for our nation’s children,” said Celia C. Ayala, CEO for LAUP.
For the last nine years, LAUP has provided more than 60,000 children with a free or low-cost quality preschool experience -- regardless of their socio-economic situation -- helping them become better prepared for kindergarten and beyond. LAUP was established by First 5 LA, which receives funding through the voter-approved tobacco tax initiative Proposition 10.
Research shows by 2018, *63% of job openings will require workers with a higher education. Children who attend quality preschool are twice as likely to attend college. This is a critical time to strengthen our economy both nationally and locally.
Yet, more than 30,000 four-year-olds in Los Angeles County are not in a preschool program. The president’s new plan will help close that gap, and give children access to quality preschool programs. LAUP urges Congress to recognize and support the value of a quality preschool education for all children.
For interview requests, contact: Jennifer Mushinskie (213) 416-1838 jmushinskie@laup.net
About LAUP: Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) is a non-profit network of more than 300 preschool sites, established to fund a free or low-cost, quality preschool education to the children of Los Angeles County in order to better prepare four-year-olds to succeed in school. LAUP has raised the level of quality preschool programs throughout the county by advancing teacher training, enriching curricula and offering a safe and nurturing environment for more than 60,000 preschoolers since 2005. LAUP is funded in part by First 5 LA. www.laup.net.
*resource for stat: http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/FullReport.pdf
