2012-16

Calling on States to Align Universal Pre-Kindergarten Curricula to the Common Core Standards to Achieve School Readiness and Success

AS AMENDED REPRESENTATIVE MINNIE GONZALEZ (CT) INTRODUCED NATIONAL SUMMIT EDUCATION TASK FORCE

WHEREAS, the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators has called upon the Legislatures of each of the states and territories of the United States to adopt universal, high-quality Pre-kindergarten programs for all three- and four-year olds in their respective states; and

WHEREAS, high-quality pre-kindergarten helps ensure that children enter kindergarten with the skills, knowledge, and dispositions they need to be successful; and

WHEREAS, a robust body of research demonstrates that high-quality early learning and development programs and services can improve young children’s health, social emotional and cognitive outcomes, and enhance their school readiness; and

WHEREAS, research demonstrates that it is important for pre-kindergarten programs to have a set of learning guidelines in place to articulate what pre-kindergarten children should know and be able to do; and

WHEREAS, most states have adopted some type of early learning or content standards but the details of these standards differs widely between states; and

WHEREAS, The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a set of reading and math learning standards that “define the knowledge and skills students should have” in order to graduate on time and to be successful in postsecondary education programs; and

WHEREAS, forty-five states and three territories of the United States have adopted and are working to implement the Common Core standards;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators calls upon each of the Legislatures of the states and territories to introduce and adopt legislation that requires the development, adoption and implementation of learning standards for pre-kindergarten programs in their respective states and territories; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a committee of government, industry and other stakeholders should be established to carefully study and make comprehensive recommendations for the development of learning standards for Pre-Kindergarten programs that align with the Common Core standards in order to foster school readiness and long-term academic success for all students; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the development of learning standards for Pre-Kindergarten programs that align with the Common Core standards be prepared and offered to the states and territories within five years.

THIS RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED AND RATIFIED ON NOVEMBER 17, 2012 AT THE NHCSL ANNUAL MEETING HELD IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO.

Sponsored by: Representative Minnie Gonzalez (CT)
Representative Brenda López de Arrarás (PR)