SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today made the following statement regarding AB 172 [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/05-06/bill/asm/ab_0151-0200/ab_172_bill_20060907_chaptered.html] (Outside Source) by Assembly member Wilma Chan (D-Oakland), which expands preschool opportunities for children at California's lowest-performing schools.

"I am committed to ensuring access to quality preschool for all children and am very pleased to see this measure signed into law. It will provide preschool experience to many more children in our most challenged schools. Preschool is an important step in preparing young people for school and helping them develop a love of learning. This is an important step in closing the achievement gap that exists between students who are succeeding and those who are lagging behind their peers. I applaud Assembly member Wilma Chan for her commitment to expanding preschool opportunities in our neediest communities, and Preschool California for its unyielding advocacy for high quality preschool programs. I also want to thank Governor Schwarzenegger for including the funding in the budget and for signing this bill into law today."