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Delegate Ken Plum’s Virginia E-News – July 19, 2006 COMMENTARY Starting Strong Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
According to Governor Timothy M. Kaine, the statistic of most concern in Virginia government today is the fact that more than a quarter of third graders fail the Standards of Learning reading test. That means that 26,000 third graders each year fail the test of the basic skill that they need for future success in all their other studies. And half the children who fail the test in the third grade fail the reading test in the fifth grade. Just as shocking is the statistic that 10,000 children in grades K-3 repeat a grade each year. That costs the education system about $75 million! Part of Governor Kaine’s response to the need for ensuring educational success in the early grades is his Start Strong initiative spearheaded by the Start Strong Council of which I am a member. In the Executive Order signed by the Governor in setting it up, the Council is given responsibility to “develop statewide goals and best practices for expanding opportunities for four-year-olds to access quality pre-kindergarten programs” and to “oversee the development and implementation of guidelines for local Start Strong programs” that would provide universal, voluntary access of all four-year-olds to appropriate programs. Currently only about eleven percent of Virginia four-year-olds are served by state-funded programs. In contrast, Oklahoma serves 69 percent, Georgia 55 percent, and Maryland 31 percent. The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) has a ten-point scale of measuring quality of early childhood programs. Of 40 states that have been evaluated, only Arkansas scored 10; Virginia scored 4. Only four states scored lower with 3 points. As would be expected, the Start Strong Council has legislators, educators, and community program representatives on it. Very significantly, however, the Council has representatives of some of Virginia’s largest corporations. Capital One hosted the first meeting of the Council and has one of its senior vice presidents as a member. One of the strongest arguments in favor of universal preschool programs is the economic benefits of such programs. Money spent early on children’s learning has enormous benefits and returns. A great body of scientific evidence on brain development shows that ninety percent of brain growth occurs before kindergarten. Longitudinal studies show that quality preschool programs help children succeed in school and life and reduce the need for social program support. About seven months ago Jane and I became grandparents for the third time, this being our first granddaughter, Emma Kilinski. We marvel at how fast she is developing and learning. Through my work on the Start Strong Council and Jane as a preschool director, we want Emma and all young children to be able to Start Strong in school. If you have an expertise in early childhood education and would like to volunteer to the work on one of the Task Forces assisting the Council, please let me know at kenplum@aol.com.
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Delegate Ken Plum’s Weekly “Virginia Report” on Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight - Wednesday, July 19 at 10:30 p.m. – Sandra O’Connell and Dr. Harry Butowsky – “A Discussion About the Book An American Family in World War II by Reston author Ralph Minker”
Tuesday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, July 26 at 10:30 p.m. – Delegate Kenneth R. Plum – “The State of the Commonwealth 2006”
* * * ANNOUNCEMENTS
Attend the Ninth Annual Virginia Political History Project. This year’s conference, “Virginia Women & Politics,” will be held this Friday, July 21, at the Jefferson Hotel, 101 West Franklin Street, Richmond. The conference is sponsored by University of Virginia Center for Politics and the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. For more information, including a list of participants, visit www.centerforpolitics.org.
Equality Virginia’s Annual Statewide Meeting and Activists’ Conference will be held this Saturday, July 22, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Virginia Commonwealth University, Student Commons Building, in Richmond. Hear a report on Equality Virginia’s progress in 2006 and plans for 2007. Find out more about The Commonwealth Coalition Campaign. To register go to www.equalityvirginia.org/conference2006.
The Herndon Friends Meeting (Quakers) is sponsoring its 11th annual Used Bike Collection this Sunday, July 23, noon to 3:00 p.m. at the Friends Meetinghouse, corner of Spring and Locusts Streets in Herndon (the old Fortnightly Library building), rain or shine. The Herndon Friends collection is the major summer bike collection in Northern Virginia, with over 1500 bikes processed since 1996 on behalf of Pedals for Progress. PFP and Herndon Friends ask for a $10.00 financial contribution along with the bikes to defray shipping costs. All material and financial contributions to PFP are tax-deductible. Receipts will be available for all contributions. For more information contact Paul Murphy at 703.359.8980 (w) or 703.517.2784 (mobile).
The State Corporation Commission’s Bureau of Insurance offers a free Life Insurance Consumer’s Guide to help Virginians better understand life insurance coverage, how to shop for it, and what to do if a problem arises. The guide explains the various types of life insurance policies and related terminology and provides information to assist consumers in determining their life insurance needs. It also includes a list of shopping tips, a complaint form, and frequently asked questions. Request copies of the free Life Insurance Consumer’s Guide by calling the Bureau of Insurance Life and Health Division toll-free at 1.877.310.6560.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Arts in Transit Program in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation is seeking artists with previous public art experience to develop site-specific artwork proposals for Phase I of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. The first phase of the project includes five stations: four in Tysons Corner and one at Wiehle Avenue in Reston. The Art in Transit Program commissions site-specific permanent artwork for the Metrorail system. For more information about the program, visit www.wmata.com/about/intro/index.html.
Persons who are delinquent on their car tax bills are encouraged to pay those bills sooner rather than later. Currently, vehicle owners only pay taxes on 30 percent of the car value on qualifying vehicles. However, due to changes in the Virginia car tax program, effective September 1 – or sooner if state funding runs out – delinquent taxpayers will be required to pay 100 percent of the full car tax on any outstanding balances for prior year taxes. To pay online or for more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta. For questions over the phone, call the Department of Tax Administration at 703.222.8234, TTY 703.222.7594.
Fairfax County’s Virginia 2007 Community Citizen Planning Committee promotes and publicizes events taking place in the county that commemorate Jamestown’s 400th anniversary. As an official Virginia 2007 Community, Fairfax County is participating in next year’s statewide celebrations commemorating the founding of Jamestown, our nation’s birthplace. To celebrate the county’s role in the birth of our nation, the committee will publish an anthology of county history during the past 400 years. To learn more about this project or submit an entry, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/opa/va2007.
Attend the 4th Annual Multicultural Business Conference, “Access to Business Success – Training, Resources & Networking for Business Growth,” on Thursday, August 3, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The Westin, 801 North Glebe Road, Arlington. Register for this event and more at www.arlingtonvirginiausa.com/atbs or call 703.538.7418.
Reston Interfaith and Kids R First need your help in collecting 4,000 new backpacks for children in need in the Reston/Herndon area. Please drop off new backpacks through August 12 at the Reston Interfaith offices at 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210 as follows: from July 24 to August 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; August 7 to August 11 from 9 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and August 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To learn more about donating backpacks, contact Meredith Young at 571.323.9566 or Meredith.young@restoninterfaith.org.
The Commonwealth Coalition has opened and staffed its office in Northern Virginia. Volunteer to help organize voters, businesses and community, faith and civic organizations united in their agreement to vote NO on November 7 on the so-called marriage amendment. Email Laura at lrobertson@voteNOva.org if you want to get involved in the effort in Northern Virginia.
The Northern Virginia Regional Commission has published An Introductory Guide to Recreational Trails in Northern Virginia, a comprehensive reference featuring information on 24 trails, including 19 maps. Each separate, trail-by-trail map insert includes three primary types of information: A narrative description of the trail; a map; and a trail elevation profile. Cost is $9.95. See www.novaregion.org.
Ride in the 24th Annual Reston Century Bicycle Tour on Sunday, August 27, rain or shine, starting and finishing at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. Riders can select from three routes of approximately 34, 65, and 102 miles. Registration is available online at www.restonbikeclub.org.
A Rain Garden Workshop for homeowners will be held at Meadowlark Gardens Regional Park, Vienna, on Saturday, September 16, 8:30 to noon. Attendees will receive useful information and observe the construction of a small (home-sized) rain garden.
Save the Date – Join Fairfax County Master Gardeners Association in celebrating its 30th anniversary on Tuesday, October 3, 6:00 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. Contact Bridget R. Anderson for more information at banderson@culturalcommerce.com or call 703.759.4525.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society invites you to join dozens of local businesses and hundreds of influential Northern Virginians in the fight against blood cancers. Participate in the Light the Night Walk in the Reston Town Center on Saturday, October 7, and help make a difference. Visit www.lightthenight.org/nca for more information.
***************** Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.
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