Ragan Report

Universal preschool will help more Iowa kids succeed

Universal preschool will help more Iowa kids succeed

Since 2007, Iowa’s Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program has worked to make preschool available to all students from all backgrounds. School districts collaborate with a variety of state, federal and community partners, including Head Start and Shared Visions, as well as faith-based, private and non-profit preschools.

Prior to the current program, only 19 percent of 3 and 4-year-old children in Iowa received a high-quality preschool education. By the fall of 2012, almost 55 percent of preschool age children were receiving the benefits of the statewide preschool initiative, which provides at least 10 hours per week of age-appropriate instruction.

Two recent reports show positive results for students who attend the state preschool classes. Fewer students from low-income families who attend the state preschool require intensive intervention after they enter kindergarten. Children who attend preschool are less likely to drop out of school, repeat grades, need special education or get into trouble with the law than children who do not attend preschool.

However, not all preschool age children are able to attend Iowa’s Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program. For that reason, the Senate Education Committee is working on legislation to ensure universal access to preschool for all 4-year-olds in Iowa.

Helping low-income Iowans stay warm this winter

Iowa has experienced record cold this winter, and the result for some Iowans is difficulty paying for the related higher heating costs. To help ensure all Iowans are warm and safe, the Senate has approved $2 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as LIHEAP.

This money will help 85,000 low-income Iowans, including families with young children and seniors on fixed incomes, with their home heating and related emergency heating costs. This special appropriation is necessary due to a spike in the cost of propane fuel, an increase in other energy costs and a surge in emergency needs.

January emergency propane deliveries increased 12 times over December at a cost of $200,000 more.╩This increase caused LIHEAP funds to be depleted with thousands of Iowans still in need.╩With this new appropriation, we can help our fellow Iowans.

Upcoming public forums

Ñ Saturday, February 15, 10 a.m.: Listening Post at Mason City Public Library, 225 Second Street SE in Mason City.

Ñ Friday, February 21 at 9:30: Legislative Listening Post at Clear Lake Bank & Trust, 322 Main Avenue in Clear Lake.

Ñ Friday, February 28 at 10 a.m.: Butler County Legislative Listening Post at Allison Public Library, 412 3rd Street.

Ñ Friday, February 28 at 1 p.m.: Franklin County Legislative Listening Post at Center One, 5 First Street SW, Hampton.

This is a legislative column by Senator Amanda Ragan, representing Franklin, Butler and Cerro Gordo counties. For newsletters, photos and further information, go to www.senate.iowa.gov/senator/ragan.

To contact Senator Ragan during the week, call the Senate Switchboard at 515-281-3371. Otherwise she can be reached at home at 641-424-0874. E-mail her at amanda.ragan@legis.iowa.gov.

Senator Ragan is an Assistant Senate Majority Leader, chair of the Human Resources Committee and vice-chair of the Health & Human Services Budget Subcommittee. She also serves on the Appropriations, Natural Resources & Environment, Rules & Administration and Veterans Affairs committees.