Lynn C. Woolsey: “Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment. If we truly expect to meet our first national education goal, that…”

“Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment. If we truly expect to meet our first national education goal, that all children shall enter school ready to learn, then preschool transition programs are absolutely essential. Study after study has shown that the early school years are crucial in setting the stage for future academic success. We have all seen the benefits of Head Start and other early childhood programs that help low-income children start elementary school on an equal footing with their more economically advantaged peers. However, research indicates that the advantages of Head Start fade around third grade. We must support these students during their first years of elementary school if we want them to maintain the gains they made during their preschool years. The preschool transition program in H.R. 6 is designed to target children who are most educationally at risk. If we are concerned about school failure; if we want to lower the school drop-out rate; and if we want to increase the number of students who graduate with the skills we will need for tomorrow's technological workplace; we must support the preschool transition program. I urge my colleagues to vote 'no' on the Boehner amendment.”