Early Childhood Education Proposal a Cornerstone of Governor's Blueprint for Jobs & Economic Growth

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today visited Dennis Early Childhood Center in Rockford and Chicago's Richard Edwards Center for Young Learners to discuss his Birth to Five Initiative, the cornerstone of his five-year blueprint for jobs and economic growth. The Governor's Birth to Five Initiative will focus on three keys to a healthy child: universal prenatal care; access to early care and learning opportunities for every child; and strong parent support.

"Study after study has shown that high-quality early childhood education has the highest return of any public investment we can make - more than $7 for every dollar spent," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois can lead the nation in early childhood education. We have the foundation in place. Now is the time to get the job done for Illinois' littlest."

The first pillar of the Governor's Birth to Five Initiative calls for connecting mothers with adequate prenatal care to support healthy birth and development of their child. Prenatal care is already available to expecting mothers with modest incomes through existing programs, yet 25 percent of low-income mothers in Illinois are not receiving the services they need. These mothers are three times more likely to give birth to a low-weight baby with increased health risks and poor development.

The benefits of prenatal care include :

·         Children with fewer developmental challenges

• Reduced need for spending on other services, such as remedial education, grade repetition and special education, as well as increased productivity and earnings for these healthier children as adults
• Reduced costs from fewer complications at birth that will be prevented through proper prenatal care
• Healthier, more prepared mothers

The second pillar of the Birth to Five Initiative calls for providing every child with access to quality early care and learning opportunities from birth, starting with those most at-risk. Research has shown that the early years in a child's life ? when the human brain is forming ? represent a critically important window of opportunity to develop a child's full potential and shape key academic, social, emotional and cognitive skills that determine a child's success in school and in life.

At-risk children who do not receive a high-quality early childhood education are:

• 25 percent more likely to drop out of school
• 40 percent more likely to become a teen parent
• 50 percent more likely to be placed in special education
• 60 percent more likely to never attend college
• 70 percent more likely to be arrested for a violent crime

In 2009, Governor Quinn established the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, which secured federal grants from Race to the Top that allowed Illinois to deliver high-quality early care and education programs. The Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge Grant has also allowed the launch of ExceleRate Illinois, a brand new quality rating and improvement system that will help ensure every early childhood program is a quality program that prepares children for success in the classroom and in life. The new quality rating system will help also help families understand what quality early care and learning looks like and how to access programming that matches their family and child's needs.

The third pillar of the Birth to Five Initiative calls for ensuring that parents have the support and services needed to prepare their child for success in school and life. Family involvement during preschool is linked with stronger pre-literacy, math and social skills and positive attitudes.

Studies have found that, regardless of family income or background, students with involved parents are more likely to:

• Earn higher grades and test scores, and enroll in higher-level programs
• Be promoted, pass their classes and earn credits
• Attend school regularly
• Have better social skills, show improved behavior and adapt well to school
• Graduate high school and go on to postsecondary education

Over the next five years, Illinois will connect families to a range of services and opportunities to get the training and support they need to take a leadership role in their children's education.

The Governor's Birth to Five Initiative also calls for the expansion of Home Visiting Programs, parent resource centers and Innovation Zones.

Since taking office, Governor Quinn has fought to preserve early childhood education from radical budget cuts and found a way to invest $45 million to build early education centers in areas that need it the most. However, more than a third of our youngest and most vulnerable children still don't have the opportunity to attend early care and learning programs before they enter kindergarten and the status quo isn't enough.

In his 2014 State of the State address, Governor Quinn laid out a five-year blueprint for jobs and economic growth in Illinois. The Governor's blueprint calls for creating more jobs, making early childhood education a top priority and building an economy that works for everyone.

OMAHA, NE (01/30/2014)(readMedia)-- Full-time students who rank in the top 10 percent of their class for the semester and earn a 3.5 grade-point average or better on a 4.0 scale are eligible for the Dean's List at Creighton University.

The following students from your area were named to Creighton University's fall 2013 Dean's List:

Ryan Cruise, of Bettendorf, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences

Adam Dilla, of Bettendorf, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences

Samantha Staver, of Bettendorf, a junior in the College of Nursing

Thomas Bush, of Davenport, a freshman in the Heider College of Business

Allison Hanser, of Davenport, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences

Elizabeth Hines, of Davenport, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences

Benjamin Irmen, of Davenport, a first-year in the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions

Christina Laubenthal, of Davenport, a sophomore in the Heider College of Business

Ellie Simpson, of Davenport, a sophomore in the College of Nursing

Alan Buttars, of De Witt, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences

Katie Dorpinghaus, of De Witt, a senior in the Heider College of Business

Stephanie Till, of Delmar, a second-year in the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions

Erin Dorpinghaus, of DeWitt, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences

Andrew Wilson, of Eldridge, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences

Meghan Harris, of Muscatine, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences

Kailee Steger, of Milan, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences

Alexandria Clark, of Rock Island, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences

McKenna Pearson, of Sterling, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences

About Creighton University: Creighton University, a Catholic, Jesuit institution located in Omaha, Neb., enrolls more than 4,200 undergraduate and 3,500 professional school and graduate students. Nationally recognized for providing a balanced educational experience, the University offers a rigorous academic agenda with a broad range of disciplines, providing undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs that emphasize educating the whole person: academically, socially and spiritually. Creighton has been a top-ranked Midwestern university in the college edition of U.S. News & World Report magazine for more than 20 years. For more information, visit our website at: www.creighton.edu.

PELLA, (01/30/2014)(readMedia)-- Area students presented during Undergraduate Scholarship Celebration Days, held Dec. 5 and 12 at Central College. The event provided more than 75 students with the opportunity to showcase their research and projects in a variety of disciplines.

Central College senior Ashley Ramker's presentation was titled "The Effects of Changing Testing Proctor on Students' Exam Scores." Ramker, of Davenport, is majoring in psychology.

Central College senior Cody Doughan's presentation was titled "The Effect of Stretching Protocol on Power Production on Hang Cleans." Doughan, of Bettendorf, is majoring in exercise science.

Central College senior Julie A. Wunder's presentation was titled "The Benefits of Arthroscopic Repair for Patients Suffering a Rotator Cuff Tear." Wunder, of Muscatine, is majoring in athletic training.

Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to the education of 1,500 undergraduate students. Guided by its ecumenical Christian tradition, the college community engages in vigorous, free, open inquiry in pursuit of academic excellence. Founded in 1853, the college is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America and NCAA Division III athletics.

Central is a recognized leader in study abroad as a result of its international, residential programs. Central College is located in Pella, Iowa, a thriving community of 10,000 two minutes from the state's largest lake and 40 minutes southwest of Des Moines. Please visit the college website at www.central.edu.

Washington, DC - Congressman Dave Loebsack along with Congressmen Tom Latham, Steve King, and Bruce Braley released the following statements after sending a letter to Chairwoman Edith Ramirez of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requesting the FTC review the current spike in propane costs in the Midwest:

Congressman Dave Loebsack: "The sudden increase in the price of propane, combined with an extremely cold winter is wreaking havoc on many Iowans' pocketbooks this winter.  I am very concerned about the surge in prices and the reason for such a great disparity in propane prices across the country. This is another expense Iowans cannot afford and I'm doing everything I can to remove barriers to allow more propane supply to reach Iowa that will help lower prices."

Congressman Steve King: "The sudden surge in the cost of propane has forced families, farmers, and businesses into a tough spot. I am pleased the entire Iowa House delegation could come together in the interests of all Iowans. Each of us will closely monitor this situation and look for other opportunities to help."

Congressman Tom Latham: "Hardworking Iowa families, farmers and small businesses are feeling the real economic pain of the skyrocketing costs of propane.  It is hitting everyone's bottom line and there must be assurances that no additional burden is being passed onto Iowans through influences other than true free market forces."

Congressman Bruce Braley: "While enduring frigid temperatures, skyrocketing propane costs are forcing some Iowa families to decide between warming their homes and paying other critical bills. A thorough investigation of these extreme price increases by the FTC is essential to ensure Iowa families are not being unjustly burdened due to market manipulation or other unfair practices."

The letter to the FTC is available here.