Clinton Proposes Pre-K Access For All Kids
Democratic Presidential Candidate Proposes $10B Program Aimed At 4-Year-Olds
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Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., said she would pay for the program by closing tax loopholes and eliminating Bush administration programs with which she disagrees. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
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"Our educational system needs to be strengthened from start to finish, but we have to start where it all begins," Clinton told an audience of children, teachers and parents.
Clinton said she would pay for the program by closing tax loopholes and eliminating Bush administration programs she disagrees with.
"There are so many places to cut the money that is being spent in this government. Let's start by cutting 500,000 of the private contractors the Bush administration has had who don't do a job that is held accountable in any way," Clinton said, adding that ending the Iraq war will also provide money for investing in programs.
She said quality pre-kindergarten programs will more than pay for themselves because children will be less likely to enter special education programs, drop out of school or enter the welfare system. She also said preparing children for school also reduces behavioral problems.
"If you add up all the benefits, it's really astonishing," the New York senator and former first lady said, citing one study that says for every dollar invested in pre-kindergarten, there is at least a seven fold return. "We consistently fail to invest in what will save us money."
Clinton presented the proposal at an appearance Monday at North Beach Elementary School in Miami Beach. Before the announcement, she visited a pre-kindergarten classroom where children sang for her and answered questions.
She praised Florida for starting a statewide pre-kindergarten program, but noted that only 20 percent of the nation's children are in state-paid programs.
Her proposal would provide federal funds to states that agree to establish a plan for making voluntary pre-kindergarten services universally available for all 4-year-olds. States that already do so would receive money to expand or enhance the programs.
Teachers would need at least a bachelor's degree and specialize in early childhood education and the plan would require low student-teacher ratios, Clinton said.
"If children start school behind it is likely they will stay behind and by the third and fourth grade they are already feeling like they don't fit in, they're uncomfortable, they're being labeled failures and I don't think that's what we want for our children," Clinton said.
States would match federal funds made available to them dollar-for-dollar and could use the assistance to expand their existing Head Start programs.
The program would start with $5 billion and expand to $10 billion over the next five years as states increase their commitments. States would be required to provide services at no cost to children from low-income families and those from "limited English homes," Clinton's campaign said in a statement before the announcement.
"If states have achieved these quality benchmarks, they will be able to use the funds flexibly to meet the needs of their local communities," the campaign said. "They could serve younger children; raise teachers' salaries; provide additional support and training for teachers or engage in other activities that expand and improve their pre-K programs."
The federal funds would be allocated through state governors.
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.



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See all 71 CommentsSay it for what it is, going to spend more for services that will be directed towards illegals. English, learn it or do without!
Under the Clinton plan, states would match federal funds made available to them dollar-for-dollar and could use the assistance to expand their existing Head Start programs.
And all this will be taken out of our taxes, ***, we can't even handle our own deficit and she wants more, typical Democrat; TAX & SPEND!
I think America is ready for this wench. By and large, we all get what we deserve. If America is on her way out, we may as well go out with a BANG! :)
Posted by FARTKNOCKER2 at 11:20 AM : May 21, 2007
Don't worry.....I heard that the senate offices are beling bombarded with calls, faxes, e-mails saying DO NOT vote in favor of this legislation.
It would be political suicide for them to do so.
WE NEED A NATIONAL AMERICAN WALK OUT COMPLETELY! EVERYONE JUST STOP WORKING ALL TRAINS BUSES,PLAINS,TRUCKS, SEE HOW LONG THE GOVERNMENT CAN RUN THIS COUNTRY WITH NO MONEY COMMING IN...
SO WHAT YOU ALL SAY???????????????
A REAL MAN TELLS IT LIKE IT IS THE TRUTH. THAT THIS ADMINASTRATION AND PRESIDENT IS THE WORST IN HISTORY. AND CONGRESS AND THE WHITEHOUSE SAYS HE CRAZY...WHAT IS WORNGE WITH THAT PICTURE..
BUT THIS PRESIDENT CAN SAY ANYTHING HE WANTS ABOUT OUR CONSTITUION..LIKE HE STATED ITS JUST A PEICE OF PAPER,IT DOESN'T MATTER TO ME...AND NO ONE SAYS A WORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-- So, middle class families will not only have the added tax burden of paying for low income families but will have to pay additional fees as well?
"There are so many places to cut the money that is being spent in this government. Let's start by cutting 500,000 of the private contractors the Bush administration has had who don't do a job that is held accountable in any way,"
-- That's right, cut 500,000 private sector jobs and see what happens to your tax base.
Freakin' commi'!
Q: How do you make a good socialist?
A: Let the dems educate your kids.
Freakin' commi'!
Posted by diverinnl at 12:54 PM : May 21, 2007
LOL Sounds like someone hit a nerve here!! LOL Now YOU wouldn't be on the dole with the Bush Administration now would you? Yep thought so! That Swastika you're wearing and your willingness to call other people Commie gave you away. Not to worry, we've taken care of you losers from day one.... despite the fact you have fought against every right we have. Sieg Heil Y'all. LOL
Q: How do you make a good socialist?
A: Let the dems educate your kids.
Posted by Infidel_US at 01:07 PM : May 21, 2007
Sparky if NOT for the "Dem's" there would be NO EDUCATION in this nation. You see you fascist said it was a dead waste of money to educate Working Class Kids... in fact you fought TOOTH and NAIL to keep them in the mines and mills of this nation instead of the classroom. I hardly think we should be listening to clowns like you about EDUCATION. Sieg Heil Y'all. ROFLMAO
Posted by McVet at 01:13 PM : May 21, 2007
So, you call me make assumptions about me and call me a nazi in the context of criticizing me for calling Hillary a commi? It's not even worth getting into with you. You're own hypocrisy makes my argument for me.
WE NEED A NATIONAL AMERICAN WALK OUT COMPLETELY! EVERYONE JUST STOP WORKING ALL TRAINS BUSES,PLAINS,TRUCKS, SEE HOW LONG THE GOVERNMENT CAN RUN THIS COUNTRY WITH NO MONEY COMMING IN...
SO WHAT YOU ALL SAY???????????????
A REAL MAN TELLS IT LIKE IT IS THE TRUTH. THAT THIS ADMINASTRATION AND PRESIDENT IS THE WORST IN HISTORY. AND CONGRESS AND THE WHITEHOUSE SAYS HE CRAZY...WHAT IS WORNGE WITH THAT PICTURE..
BUT THIS PRESIDENT CAN SAY ANYTHING HE WANTS ABOUT OUR CONSTITUION..LIKE HE STATED ITS JUST A PEICE OF PAPER,IT DOESN'T MATTER TO ME...AND NO ONE SAYS A WORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The point of the cost of war exponentialy expanding the debt I will accept as a valid point though.
Proposing something that will actually benefit future generations! What kind of krap is this?? Intelligent people know that it is our job to eliminate public education, social security, medicare, medicaid, food stamps, who the hell cares about those deadbeats who say they need help getting back on their feet!!! Plus we have a responsibility to take the chains off the multinational corporations and let them be as profitable as they can be... we cannot stand by and let the democrats force them to pay attention to the air and water quality!! All this nonsense about 'alternative fuels' is crazy!! There's plenty of oil, if we need more we can just attack another country.
And I do agree that any gains that Clinton created, Bush destroyed.
Being right of center though, I'd rather see a Democrat get the blame (LOL)!
The people I speak to seem to oppose her for reasons that are not intelligently thought out. That she is affliated with a particular party is not grounds for rejection; nor is because she is a woman! Examining the issues for guidance seems to be the best solution.
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