Press Room Archive
Below are links to documents or reference materials in active use prior to February 28, 2021. The documents were either created by Pre-K Our Way or created by other organizations; all relate to NJ’s pre-k expansion efforts and are included for reference. Note that any use of the statement ’nearly 35 communities’ is no longer current. Due to the first funding for pre-k expansion in nearly a decade (July 2017 for the 2017-2018 school year), there are now fewer than 65 communities with NJ’s state-funded, high-quality pre-k. The listing of fewer than 65 communities can be viewed here.
About Pre-K Our Way
Learn more about what Pre-K Our Way is, who is involved and how you can join the effort.
Help Bring Pre-K Our Way
In 2008, NJ law provided pre-k to 35 school districts but promised to expand pre-k to more communities. The first funding for that promise occurred nearly a decade later – in mid-2017 for the 2017-2018 school year. Additional funding was included in the three budgets to date of the Murphy Administration. Although nearly 150 communities now have NJ’s pre-k, there are tens of thousands of 3- and 4-year-olds across hundreds of communities still waiting for access to NJ’s pre-k. Our goal for the next school year – 2021-2022 – is to have more than 200 districts with state-funded, full-day pre-k!
WE’VE BEEN WAITING 10 YEARS…WE’RE READY FOR PRE-K!
"We’ve been waiting 10 years…We’re ready for pre-k! Please contact your legislators – for us!” That's the message from NJ's 3- and 4-year-olds. Read more, and let your legislators know: Fund pre-k NOW!
APRIL 9: GOV. MURPHY PRESS CONFERENCE IN JAMESBURG
Pamela Hernandez, Principal of John F Kennedy Elementary School and Kristy DeFazio, Early Childhood Supervisor for the Jamesburg Public Schools, welcome Governor Murphy and Acting Commissioner of Education Repollet to the April 9 governor’s press conference on NJ’s pre-k expansion at Jamesburg’s pre-k. Following are links to selected news coverage and the original press release from the Office of the Governor.
RESEARCH POINTS TO BENEFITS OF FULL-DAY PRESCHOOL
Success of NJ's full-day, state-funded pre-k - featuring Vineland Public Schools - appears on recent TV news. New research sheds light on the long term impacts of Pre-K and whether a half or full-day offers more benefits. In Vermont all children get ten hours a week of taxpayer funded Pre-K. CBS' Nikki Battiste visited New Jersey, where the state pays for some toddlers to attend school full-time.
APRIL 3, 2018 PRESS RELEASE
Pre-K Our Way Senate budget and appropriations committee public hearing testimony.
STATE SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS HEARING - APRIL 3, 2018
Testimony delivered by Sam Crane
STATE SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS HEARING - APRIL 9, 2018
Testimony delivered by Sam Crane
GOV. MURPHY PROPOSES SIGNIFICANT FUNDING FOR PRE-K EXPANSION
Governor Murphy used his March 13 Budget Message to include $83 million for pre-k expansion in his first state budget. Although additional details will be available in the coming days, the $83 million proposed in the governor’s first budget provides $50 million in new funding for pre-k expansion for more communities. In addition, it continues funding for the pre-k expansion to 26 districts – approximately $32 million -- as provided by the legislative leadership for the 2017-2018 school year.
WE'RE READY FOR PRE-K!
The proposed pre-k expansion funding in Governor Murphy’s first budget provides a significant step in bringing New Jersey’s pre-k to thousands of our state’s 3- and 4-year-olds and to many more communities.
NEW JERSEY PEDIATRICS, SPRING 2018
"Pre-K Our Way: Investing in Their Future" from Sam Crane
PRE-K EXPANSION FALL 2017
For the first time in nearly a decade, there are a few thousand more 3- and 4-year-olds with access to NJ’s high-quality, state-funded, full-day pre-k. October 2 was the first day of school for some, and others started later that month or in early November. Read links to some of the news stories from individual pre-k expansion communities!
US IS FALLING BEHIND OTHER NATIONS IN PROVIDING PRE-K SCHOOLING
When it comes to early childhood education, the United States needs to step up. Many developed nations now have more than 90% enrollment in pre-K programs, surpassing the US with just 66% enrollment for 4-year-olds. Rising superpowers are making significant commitments to expand access to early education over the next few years, with China promising to have pre-K for every 4-year-old and most 3-year-olds by 2020.
NIEER: THE STATE OF PRESCHOOL
The State of Preschool 2017 is the 15th edition of NIEER’s annual report tracking state-funded preschool access, resources, and quality. Since 2002, many states have made progress, a few have fallen behind, and a handful have emerged as leaders. As a result, disparities in access to high-quality state-funded preschool have grown over the intervening years.
NIEER: THE STATE OF PRESCHOOL PRESS RELEASE
A new state-by-state report shows more young children enrolled in public pre-K programs but a troubling lack of policies ensuring the quality classroom experiences they need to get ready for kindergarten.
OPINION: INVESTMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD WILL YIELD DIVIDENDS FOR NEW JERSEY
The students in grades pre-k to second learned with slime, miniature catapults and by assembling battery-powered clocks during activities organized by the Forest Avenue Home and School Association on New Jersey Maker's Day, a celebration of "Maker Culture," held statewide March 24.
OP-ED: EXPAND NEW JERSEY’S PRE-K TO STRENGTHEN NATIONAL SECURITY
We urge state legislators to help our children develop in mind, body, and character so they can succeed in school and in life, including in the military for those who choose to serve.
41% OF N.J. HOUSEHOLDS AMONG THE 'WORKING POOR' AND IT'S GETTING WORSE. IS THE STATE TOO EXPENSIVE?
The number of New Jersey households struggling to make ends, but which do not qualify for federal poverty assistance, has reached 1.3 million and continues to rise, bucking the prevailing narrative of a state and national economy in recovery.
THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE RECOGNIZES THE ABBOTT PRE-K PROGRAM AS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY.
The Houston Chronicle tells TX Gov. Abbott: “NJ has the gold standard in education for 3- and 4-year-olds...the Abbott program worth bragging about hails from New Jersey.”
50,000 3- and 4-year-olds are still waiting...
For the first time in nearly a decade, our state is funding pre-k expansion... but for only a few thousand children. 50,000 3- and 4-year-olds are still waiting. That’s not right. Let the candidates for governor know that YOU want pre-k expansion.
50,000 Kids and Your Communities—Waiting
Every year, 50,000 3- and 4-year-olds wait across hundreds of communities—like yours. That’s not right! Our children should already have NJ’s state-funded, full-day pre-k. See just a handful of the hundreds of communities who would benefit from NJ’s high-quality pre-k program.
Fact Sheet
Get the facts—Pre-K Our Way is your way to bring preschool to your children and your community. Learn about how it started, how it can help you and what you can do to get involved.
NJ State Pre-K Checklist
In 2008, NJ promised to expand pre-k to more communities. 50,000 kids each year are still waiting. That's not right! See if your community meets the five checklist items that indicate whether or not NJ's state funded, full-day pre-k for all 3- and 4-year-olds exists in YOUR community.
Pre-K expansion: Give kids the start they deserve (op-ed)
Read the latest op-ed from Jim Cawley, President and CEO, of United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey in support of pre-k expansion in New Jersey.
Testimonies to Legislative Committees
Pre-K Our Way has testified at several hearings throughout the years, often with additional advocates. View all the testimonies from throughout the years here.
State Chamber Support for Pre-K
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce announced its support for the expansion of New Jersey’s high-quality, pre-k education so it is available to every 3- and 4-year-old in 100-plus school districts.
Star-Ledger Editorial Board August 2016
New Jersey's state preschool program is widely recognized as one of the best pre-k programs in the country. Read what the Star-Ledger Editorial Board has said about NJ's pre-k.
Monthly Newsletters
Catch up on Pre-K Our Way’s activities, news and outreach with our monthly newsletters.
Ads and Videos
Watch our recent ads and previous videos: The ads were targeted to hundreds of local communities – like yours, and provided individual numbers of how many kids are waiting for NJ’s pre-k as promised by 2008 law.
Share Pre-K Our Way
Embed one of our web badges on your website and share your support for expanding pre-k access in New Jersey.
Pre-K Your Way Poster—50,000 NJ Kids Are Waiting
Share Pre-K Our Way; email the poster to friends, family, businesses or organizations, or print it out and post it. 50,000 NJ kids are waiting.
Dr. Steven Barnett's Proven Preschool Research
See the research behind New Jersey’s proven preschool models, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University.
Comparison of Pre-K and Non-Pre-K Student Assessments
View the assessment one Kindergarten teacher gave to her students to understand the academic readiness that pre-k instills.
Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Report
Fight Crime: Invest in Kids report says “stronger preschool Key to cutting New Jersey prison bill and boosting school success.”
Public Opinion
Results from a 2014 statewide poll show that New Jersey voters value preschool and want to make sure each child gets a strong start in life.
Research and Results
An explanation of the benefits of quality preschool and the long-term success it can provide our children.
Professor Heckman's Research
The ‘success students enjoy’ from high-quality pre-k extends into the next generation! Nobel Laureate James Heckman’s follow-up of the groundbreaking 1960s Perry study finds “early childhood education resulted in stronger families and significantly contributed to upward mobility in the next generation…”
Local Community Meeting Press Releases
View representative press releases from our local community meetings that spanned across spring and early summer of 2016.
Legislative Action on Pre-K Expansion: What Happens Now?
The NJ Legislature is considering several bills on pre-k expansion. Read about them below, find out Pre-K Our Way’s position on each bill, and learn what happens now.
Opportunities in ESSA for Improving Early Education
“Well-designed early childhood education programs address all aspects of the young child’s development, including their social-emotional learning as well as physical development.” Read the latest from NASBE.org.
Compiled Op-Eds
A quick look at op-eds featuring Pre-K Our Way and featured throughout 2015.