Change the Assembly" Tour stops in Virginia Beach

Moran holds early childhood education roundtable with Bouchard, Mathieson

Virginia Beach, VA—- Today, the “Change the Assembly” tour stopped in Virginia Beach where House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian J. Moran appeared with House Democratic candidates Joe Bouchard and Bobby Mathieson to hold an early childhood education roundtable with parents and community officials. Moran cited the ‘7 Reasons for Change’ of the Assembly and called on the people of Virginia Beach to help fix what’s wrong in Richmond.

Moran holds early childhood education roundtable with Bouchard, Mathieson

Virginia Beach, VA—- Today, the “Change the Assembly” tour stopped in Virginia Beach where House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian J. Moran appeared with House Democratic candidates Joe Bouchard and Bobby Mathieson to hold an early childhood education roundtable with parents and community officials. Moran cited the ‘7 Reasons for Change’ of the Assembly and called on the people of Virginia Beach to help fix what’s wrong in Richmond.

Moran announced the support of Governor Kaine’s early childhood initiative that would provide access to pre-kindergarten for four year olds across the Commonwealth. Support for the Early Childhood Initiative is the second in a series of policy rollouts by Democratic leadership on the ‘Change the Assembly tour’.

“With most of brain development occurring before a child turns five, we must provide early childhood education for every child that needs access so we can ensure they are ready for the challenges of the new economy,” House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran said. “We should not shortchange our children’s future for politics.”

Research shows that 90% of brain development occurs before a child turns five. We know that children who attend high-quality preschool are more likely to finish school, find good jobs, and are less likely to commit a crime.

Currently, the Virginia Pre-School initiative serves approximately 12,500 students, but approximately 6,500 more four-year-olds, who qualify as “at risk” under the current formula, are not able to participate in the program. A lack of classroom space, cost of starting up the program, lack of parent awareness, and the challenge for some communities to contribute the local match deter some localities from fully serving eligible children in need of these services.

“Start Strong will ensure that the children who need preschool most have access to it,” said Governor Kaine. “Ensuring that our children have the opportunity to succeed should be our highest priority, and with leaders like Bobby Mathieson and Joe Bouchard in the General Assembly, we can provide that opportunity.”

“As a former police officer, I have seen the results firsthand when our schools and the system fail our children,” House Democratic candidate Bobby Mathieson said. “That’s why we must invest in our children on the front end so we aren’t regretting the results later.”

“My opponent and I differ on this point. I believe that we owe our children every opportunity to succeed,” House Democratic candidate Joe Bouchard said. “My opponent thinks its wasteful spending, but I don’t see investing in our community’s future as a waste.”