Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz is a sponsor of an amendment to the State Constitution that would make pre-kindergarten a permanent part of New York's education system, guaranteeing all students a head start on academic achievement and future success.

Research shows that children who attend pre-K programs have higher reading and math scores and are more likely to enjoy long term academic success. And, according to a recent study by Chicago's Child Parent Centers, kids who attend pre-K are 70 percent less likely to be arrested for a violent crime by age 18.

"The governor's budget proposes education cuts of historic proportions that would lock 60,000 kids out of pre-kindergarten. We must not allow our children's futures to become victim to the governor's wrong headed budget choices. This amendment ensures that every child in New York can reap the tremendous benefits of a quality pre-K program, benefits that reach far beyond the classroom," said Dinowitz.

According to the Education Commission of the States, 43 states offer pre-kindergarten programs.

"It's time that the children of New York were guaranteed access to the advantages of an early education. I stand firm on my commitment to our children, to their education, and to the future," concluded Dinowitz.