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Governor Bredesen Praises Pre-K Program at Martha O'Bryan Center.

Last Wednesday, Governor Phil Bredesen visited Martha O'Bryan Center and held a press conference with Pre-K Now, the national pre-kindergarten advocacy group, to discuss the importance of Pre-K programs in Tennessee. Bredesen chose Martha O'Bryan Center as the backdrop for his announcement, citing the Center as an ideal model for Pre-K programming in Tennessee. Currently, Martha O'Bryan Center has 3 community Pre-K classrooms as part of its 3 star rated Early Learning Center (ELC). Below is the entire news release from the Governor's office.

Bredesen Joins 16 Governors Named Pre-K Leaders
Pre-K Now, the nation's leading pre-kindergarten advocacy group, today lauded Governor Phil Bredesen for leading Tennessee's march toward high-quality voluntary pre-K.

In its annual "Leadership Matters" report released today, which highlights the commitment of states to early education, Washington-based Pre-K Now singled out Bredesen as one of 16 governors across the country working to expand pre-K even in the face of budget and political pressures. Other Southern governors recognized as strong pre-K advocates include Republican Governors Charlie Crist of Florida and Bob Riley of Alabama.

"I'm gratified that Tennessee is being recognized for taking a wise, long-range view of pre-K," Bredesen said. "Education experts understand that, dollar for dollar, pre-K is the single best investment we can make in our kids' future. I'm committed to making it an option for all parents and families who want their children to attend, regardless of class or economic status."

Pre-K Now cited Bredesen's proven long-term commitment to high-quality pre-K and his bipartisan political strategy as key to the steady of expansion of Tennessee's program since FY 2004-05. Bredesen stated that he'll continue working closely with the General Assembly to ensure that pre-K remains a priority for the Volunteer State, even as the sluggish national economy creates additional budget challenges. The national release of the report at Nashville's Martha O'Bryan Center occurred in conjunction with this week's 2008 National Head Start Association Conference at Gaylord Opryland Hotel.

Tennessee's pre-K program is nationally recognized, meeting nine out of 10 quality standards developed by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). In March, NIEER ranked Tennessee's pre-K program among the top states in the nation for the third consecutive year for the quality of its design. Tennessee's pre-K program now operates in 94 counties and serves 17,000 four-year-olds in more than 930 classrooms.

To read Pre-K Now's Leadership Matters report, visit: www.preknow.org. Or to find out more about pre-k in Tennessee, visit: www.tn.gov/education.

Learn more about the Pre-K program and 3 star rated Early Learning Center at Martha O'Bryan Center.

Also don't forget:

Learn how you can be part of the Center's largest biennial fundraiser and awareness event, involving new and current supporters from the Nashville area community.
Click here to learn more about the Champions Breakfast

Martha O'Bryan Center | 711 South Seventh Street | Nashville, TN 37206 | (615) 254-1791

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Copyright 2007 Martha O'Bryan Center, Inc.
711 South Seventh Street • Nashville, Tennessee 37206-3895
615-254-1791 • Fax 615-242-3411 • Have a question? info@marthaobryan.org
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