Carol Kaplan
Public Relations Manager
Council for Professional Recognition
CarolK@cdacouncil.org
202-772-5476
Research backs up the value of pre-school
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Washington, D.C. – All six democratic presidential candidates who took the stage for Tuesday’s debate in Iowa agreed on one thing: all American children deserve universal pre-school.
Dr. Valora Washington, Ph.D. and CEO of the Council for Professional Recognition couldn’t have been more pleased that the issue has become part of the national debate. “Widely recognized research has already established that children who experience quality early childhood education are significantly less likely to be arrested, more likely to graduate high school and earn higher wages, and significantly less likely to use illegal substances. The benefits to society are more than clear,” Washington said.
In fact, a cost-benefit analysis performed as part of the Perry Preschool Study showed that for every dollar invested in early childhood education, the economic return to society was over $16 – a better rate of return than the average stock market investment.
Dr. Washington added, “It’s time for the U.S. to invest in its children by fully funding universal pre-school. That means subsidies or other financial incentives so that parents can afford quality childcare, as well as equitable salaries for pre-school teachers.”
Currently, pre-school teachers earn about half as much as elementary school teachers and many are paid so poorly that they qualify for public assistance. In fact, the average pre-school teacher earns less than a hairdresser, a mail order clerk or a pest-control worker, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
| Job | Average Hourly Wage |
| Pest-control worker | $17.12 |
| Mail order clerk | $16.99 |
| Hairdresser | $15.01 |
| Pre-school teacher | $14.32 |
“Our pre-school teachers help develop our most precious resource – our children – into capable, contributing members of society,” Washington said. “They deserve better.”
ABOUT THE COUNCIL FOR PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
The Council for Professional Recognition promotes improved performance and recognition of professionals in the early childhood education of children ages zero to 5 years old. The Council recognizes and credentials professionals who work in all types of early care and education settings including Head Start, pre-k, infant-toddler, family childcare, and home visitor programs. As a nonprofit organization, the Council sets policies and procedures for assessment and credentialing. To date, over 800,000 CDA credentials have been issued around the world. For more information, visit www.cdacouncil.org.
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Chief Operations Officer
Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
Chief Financial Officer
Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
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