Monday, March 5, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Visits Eldon School, Continues Focus on Early Learning
ELDON–Gov. Matt Blunt today visited the Eldon R-1 School District where he talked with teachers and administrators about their successful early childhood development programs.
"Education is my highest priority as Missouri's governor," said Blunt. "The early years of a child's life are among the most crucial and form the foundation for all future learning. We need to nurture our children's desire to learn so they can be successful throughout their lives."
While visiting Eldon Elementary School, the governor saw first hand the benefits of an early learning program. The Eldon School District has three early childhood education classrooms for at-risk children and two classrooms for children facing developmental delays or handicaps. The programs serve 91 students and are funded through federal, state and local resources.
In partnership with Parents as Teachers the district measured the program's impact on students. Cognitive and pre-academic scores, language and motor skills testing average percentiles showed an overall gain of 53. As a group the average entrance percentile for the children was 27 compared to 80 for the exit screenings.
Blunt has called for maximizing the state's resources for young children and has championed early childhood issues. He recently met with the Coordinated Board for Early Childhood, a group he appointed that will coordinate Missouri's efforts in serving young Missourians and their families. The governor has provided an increase every year in his budget to enhance Parents as Teachers and this year is seeking a $2 million funding increase for the program. Last year, Blunt signed legislation to establish standards for early childhood programs that receive funding from the state.
Since taking office the governor has increased funding for education by almost a third of one billion dollars and his budget this year would bring that total to more than half a billion dollars.