AgdaPkt 2004-04-26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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�,��-z RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT C`F VOLUNTARY QUALITY PRESCHOOL FOR ALL 3 AND 4 YEAR OLDS WHEREAS, ensuring access to high-quality preschool for all 3 and 4 year-olds whose parents choose to send them continues to be an increasing priority at the local, state and national levels; and WHEREAS, quality preschool programs prepare children to do their best by nurturing their social-emotional, cognitive, linguistic and physical development; enhancing their self-confidence; and fostering a positive attitude about leaming; and WHEREAS, during their K-12 years and beyond, children who attend quality preschool are less likely to be placed in special education or held back a grade, exhibit more positive behaviors in the classroom, perform better on standardized achievement tests in math and reading, are more likely to graduate from high school and continue their education, will earn more money, are less likely to go on welfare, and are less likely to become involved in crime; and WHEREAS, what happens to California's children matters not only to their immediate families, but also to the neighborhoods in which they live, the schools they attend and the communities in which they will eventually work and raise their own children. Early childhood development sets the stage for a child's future ability to achieve academically, interact socially, and participate fully in our democracy. Providing voluntary preschool for all is the very best we can do for them and for ourselves as a society; and WHEREAS, what children experience from birth through age eight has a major impact on their later success in school and life. Children who do not learn to read by age eight are likely to have difficulty throughout the rest of their school careers. Quality preschool introduces children to early literacy and literacy development and lays a solid foundation for later reading success; and WHEREAS, high-quality preschool programs provide parents with the opportunity to participate in their child's early education. Professional teachers can support parents by giving them tools to be better parents as well as identify children's special needs early and help parents to address them; and WHEREAS, 56% of San Mateo County's children under the age of 6 live in households with two parents in the workforce or with a single parent who works. High quality early care and education is a critical support for parental employment, productivity, and peace of mind; Atty/Reso/Reso.1460 041404 �