Statements of support for Public Advocate de Blasio’s plan to provide Pre-K for every four-year old and dramatically expand after-school programs for middle school students.
“Right now, income inequality and education disparities are damaging New York City's economy and hurting our families. We need to go in a different direction. Fair-share taxes that fund effective investments in early education will help lift kids out of poverty and put them on a path to the middle class. Public Advocate de Blasio’s plan is a smart start to a necessary discussion on how we can move towards a city that’s more fair and more prosperous for everyone,” said Executive Director Michael Kink of the Strong Economy for All Coalition.
“A strong educational foundation is the key to success: the success of the child, the community and the city of New York. Children and their families must be supported and provided with a safe place for their children to learn in school and after school, if our goal is to have a vibrant and successful middle class,” said Council Member Letitia James.
“There’s no doubt about the value of investing in earlier and longer learning. This is what it will take to lift kids out of poverty, to help them compete and make it into the middle class. I support the Public Advocate’s plan, and I give him credit for coming up with a fair way to make it a reality,” said Council Member Fernando Cabrera.
“Too many kids come home every day after school to an empty apartment. Too many kids spend their most critical, formative years in front of a TV when they need to be laying an educational foundation. There’s no question these are the right priorities for a city trying to build a middle class and prepare our kids to compete in the real world,” said Council Member Daniel Dromm.
Fact sheet on the plan: http://advocate.nyc.gov/files/DeBlasioEducationInvestmentFactSheet.pdf
