This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
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As Philadelphia’s Mayor Kenney pushes for universal pre-K, his commission on the subject is trying to enlist support in City Council.
Kate Shaw of Research for Action testified before City Council that the facts are very clear about pre-K.
"An extensive body of research in education, developmental psychology, neuroscience, medicine, economics shows that quality early childhood education programs produce better education, health, economic, and social outcomes for children, families, and the nation," she said.
Fatima Rogers, principal at Charles W Henry Elementary School in West Mount Airy, told Council that students with a good preschool education are better prepared when they arrive at her doorstep.
"The students who attend pre-kindergarten have an easier transition to kindergarten. The students are less stressed and don’t typically exhibit separation anxiety causing them to be sent to the counselor or other staff," she said.