Jasey, Prieto, Diegnan & Decroce Cited for Bipartisan  Pre-K Expansion Measure

News Release 2/9/16

Miss Melody Bioletti’s class of 4-year old preschool students from Clifton Early Learning Academy, Clifton School #17 sing for attendees at an announcement event of legislation that would expand preschool access to more three- and four-year olds in New Jersey.

Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, D-27, speaks at an announcement event Tuesday morning at Clifton School #17 in Clifton N.J. regarding legislation she introduced to expand New Jersey’s high-quality, publicly-funded preschool program to more NJ district.

Speaker Vincent Prieto, D-32, speaks about the importance of preschool education at an announcement of legislation he sponsored to expand preschool access in New Jersey.
*Photos Submitted

CLIFTON, N.J. –Today Assemblywoman Mila Jasey (D-27), Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-32), Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan (D-18), and Assemblywoman Betty Lou DeCroce (R-26)  announced they have introduced legislation to expand high-quality, publicly-funded preschool to additional communities throughout New Jersey. The announcement took place at Clifton School #17 in Clifton, N.J.

Sam Crane of Pre-K Our Way released the following statement:

“With this major bipartisan step taken today by Assembly members Jasey, Prieto, Diegnan and DeCroce, pre-k expansion to over 100 communities across the state is becoming a major state priority. If enacted, more New Jersey three- and four-year olds have access to high quality pre-k programs.

“New Jersey already has one of the best, most successful preschool programs in the country. However, today children in fewer than 40 school districts have access to the high-quality pre-k program. Where a child lives should not determine whether or not they have access to high-quality preschool. With more pre-k access, our kids will enter kindergarten prepared for school and ready for success.

“At Pre-K Our Way, we want to thank Assembly members Jasey, Prieto, Diegnan and DeCroce for making preschool access a priority in New Jersey and their leadership in advocating for more New Jersey children benefiting from this program, regardless of where they live.”

During the event on Tuesday, Assembly members Jasey, Prieto, DeCroce announced they have introduced A-2572 and will be joined by Assemblyman Diegnan in bill sponsorship, but who was unable able to attend Tuesday.  A 2008 law called for the expansion to over 100 districts, but the law was never funded.  A-2572 calls for the implementation of the 2008 law and provides a specific funding source.