Harrisburg, PA – In a significant move highlighting the state’s commitment to early childhood education, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Executive Order 2023-22 at the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission’s (ELIC) 2023 Annual Meeting. This action reinvigorates the ELIC, reinforcing a public-private partnership focused on shaping early learning policy and recommendations.
This Executive Order directs a diverse assembly of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders, appointed by Governor Shapiro, to collaborate with his administration’s senior officials. The goal is to forge a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at several critical areas: building a robust pipeline of childcare professionals, ensuring universal access to pre-kindergarten for all children, and expanding full-day kindergarten programs across the Commonwealth. These initiatives underscore Pennsylvania’s dedication to learning investment as a cornerstone of future prosperity.
The ELIC’s origins trace back to 2002, established by Governor Mark Schweiker as the Governor’s Task Force on Early Childhood Care and Education. It was later renamed and formalized as the ELIC by Governor Ed Rendell in 2008. Governors Corbett and Wolf continued to recognize the importance of this body, reestablishing the ELIC during their terms. Governor Shapiro’s recent Executive Order extends this bipartisan legacy, marking two decades of continuous gubernatorial focus on the vital role of learning investment in developing a sustainable early care and education system that bolsters Pennsylvania’s economic and workforce development. This sustained commitment across administrations emphasizes the long-term value placed on early childhood education as a crucial learning investment.
“For more than 20 years, Governors of both parties and business leaders from across the Commonwealth have united to identify concrete steps to guarantee our children receive the education they deserve and our parents obtain the necessary support,” stated Governor Josh Shapiro. “I am pleased to reaffirm our collective dedication to this endeavor and anticipate collaborating with this diverse group of leaders to pioneer innovative approaches to learning investment and childcare.”
Governor Shapiro firmly believes that early learning, development, and education are paramount for Pennsylvania families, the education system, workers, employers, and the overall economy. This Executive Order propels the Commonwealth’s efforts to cultivate public and private sector learning investment by linking workforce development initiatives with effective early learning practices. Re-establishing the ELIC is central to continuing this essential work and ensuring sustained learning investment in the state’s youngest citizens.
Executive Order 2023-22 is designed to enhance collaboration between the Commonwealth and business and civic leaders in advocating for learning investment at both state and local levels. It mandates the ELIC to formulate and recommend a detailed plan and implementation strategy. Key recommendations within this plan include:
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Stabilizing the early childcare workforce and broadening access to affordable, available, and accessible childcare for all Pennsylvania families, irrespective of income. This is a crucial aspect of learning investment, ensuring that families have the support they need to thrive.
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Guaranteeing universal pre-K availability for all Pennsylvania children. Universal pre-K is a foundational learning investment that sets children on a path to lifelong success.
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Expanding the provision of all-day kindergarten in every Pennsylvania public school district and charter school. All-day kindergarten represents a significant learning investment in early education, providing more time for foundational learning and development.
Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis will serve as an honorary co-chair of the ELIC, joining Stephanie Doliveira, Executive Vice President of People and Culture at Sheetz; Thomas Foley, President of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Pennsylvania; and honorary co-chair Dr. Janet Haas, Chairman Emeritus of the William Penn Foundation. This diverse leadership underscores the broad commitment to learning investment across sectors.
“As a new father, I am witnessing firsthand the profound importance of the early years in a child’s development. I’ve also experienced the financial strain and challenges of securing high-quality care for children. You cannot redo those first five years,” noted Lieutenant Governor Davis. “They are foundational for children’s academic, emotional, and social success. Learning investment in high-quality childcare yields dividends throughout their lives. This issue resonates deeply with my family and parents across the Commonwealth, and I am honored to join Governor Shapiro in co-chairing the Early Learning Investment Commission.”
“The Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission is enthusiastic and prepared to collaborate with Governor Shapiro’s Administration on cross-sector strategies that advance early learning through affordable, quality childcare,” stated Stephanie Doliveira, co-chair of the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission. “The positive impacts of this learning investment will be evident in improved outcomes for working parents, businesses, and the Pennsylvania economy.”
Read Executive Order 2023-22, Early Learning Investment Commission, here.
