FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Brendan Daly, [email protected], (202) 794-1580

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 15, 2019) – Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) will release a new broadcast television ad tomorrow in support of Governor Gina Raimondo’s plan for universal pre-K, strongly backing her agenda to expand early childhood education in Rhode Island. 

“By age 5, a child’s brain is almost fully developed, yet too many 4-year-olds across Rhode Island lack access to quality pre-K education. With her plan to provide universal pre-kindergarten for all 4-year-olds in Rhode Island, Governor Raimondo is building a strong foundation so that all kids can have a strong start in life,” said SCAN CEO Mark Shriver.

The SCAN ad notes that Governor Raimondo is following through on her campaign pledge to invest in high-quality early childhood education. “Ensuring universal pre-K will set up our kids for success, not just in school, but in life,” the ad states. It urges viewers to text their state legislators to support Raimondo’s plan.

In her State of the State address tonight, Raimondo is expected to call for increased funding for universal pre-K. She and Shriver will appear at a press event tomorrow to highlight her call for $10 million in the state budget as part of multiyear plan to provide universal pre-K in Rhode Island.

Shriver noted that Rhode Island is already ranked as the top state for quality pre-kindergarten by U.S. News and World Report, and that by ensuring access to high-quality pre-K for all 4-year-olds, the Ocean State can set the national standard for early learning.

“High-quality early childhood education programs aren’t just good for kids—they’re good for everyone,” Shriver said. “Universal pre-K could boost Rhode Island’s economy by more than $230 million, a return of nine dollars for every one dollar invested.”

SCAN, the political advocacy arm of Save the Children, endorsed Raimondo in the primary and general elections last year, and this year is working to mobilize Rhode Islanders in support of the governor’s early learning agenda.

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Save the Children Action Network is the political voice for kids. We believe that every child deserves the best start in life. That’s why we’re building bipartisan will and voter support to make sure every child in the U.S. has access to high-quality early learning and that no mother or child around the globe dies from a preventable disease or illness. By investing in kids and holding leaders accountable, we are helping kids from birth to age five survive and thrive. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.