Political Quotes

“I am pleased to join my colleague and friend Senator Bond as a cosponsor of the amendment to Goals 2000, pertaining to parents as teachers. I am an original cosponsor of this legislation, which, as you know, will encourage States to establish parents as teachers programs. Senator Bond and I have been trying to get this legislation passed by the Senate for several years. Parents as Teachers provides guidance and support to new parents, encouraging them to nurture a readiness to learn in their infants. Data collected in a 13-year study of the early development by the Harvard University preschool project, indicate that language, curiosity, social skills, and cognitive intelligence, lay the foundation for learning. The study further shows that, with few exceptions, the development of these skills in a 6-year-old can be predicted at age 3. An official who headed several departments in the Mobile, AL, County Public School System, told a group of State legislatures and business persons: We weep when we see the conditions some of the 4- and 5- year-old children are in when they come to us. They don't understand simple directions, are afraid of adults and other children, and have low receptive and expressive language. They are simply not ready either for kindergarten or first grade. The time and effort involved in helping children try to catchup are staggering. Parents as Teachers is the obvious next step beyond Head Start.”