Gore Details, Defends Major Expansion of Preschool Plan

DES MOINES — Vice President Al Gore on Wednesday defended his plan to significantly expand Washington’s role in funding preschool programs, saying more federal assistance is needed because population changes have made it tougher politically for states and localities to pass measures that increase education spending.

In a series of public appearances and press interviews here, Gore fleshed out his proposal to provide universal access to preschool--he would give $50 billion over 10 years in matching block grants to states that guarantee preschool programs for all 4-year-olds. Once a state achieved that goal, Gore said, it could then use the funds to target children 3 or younger.

The vice president’s proposal allows the public funds to be used at private preschools--if they meet state education standards and offer their programs through public schools.

Gore strongly opposes voucher programs that would provide parents with public money that could be used for private school tuition, and his aides insisted his preschool proposal does not contradict this stance. Instead, they said the Gore plan is patterned after popular charter school programs.

Gore’s preschool proposal is the centerpiece of a $115-billion education agenda he unveiled last week. It also offers financial incentives to reduce class size, raise standards and funnel effective teachers into underperforming schools.

Gore said his top goal as president would be “to bring about revolutionary change in education,” adding that his preschool proposal allows the funds to be used for hiring teachers and constructing facilities.

Gore said his emphasis on preschool programs “is very simple,” adding: “All the research and all the experience of parents have shown very clearly that most learning takes place in the first few years of life. And if kids get off to a great start--before they ever get to kindergarten--the chances for them to succeed in life, to have good jobs, to lead fulfilling lives, are greatly enhanced.”

The nation’s preschool needs are greater than ever, according to Gore’s campaign advisors, because 62% of mothers of young children now work outside the home, compared with only 37% in 1975.

Gore and his rival in the Democratic presidential race, former Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey, also spent part of the day sniping at each other on agricultural policy, a key issue in Iowa.

The vice president said Bradley had opposed key farm proposals while in the Senate and changed his views only when he decided to run for president.

Bradley retorted quickly, saying the Clinton administration had done little to help the stagnant farm economy during its years.

“After seven years [in office], the vice president has offered nothing more than negative attacks and distortions,” Bradley said. “[Gore and his campaign] have not put forward a comprehensive approach to farm policy, nor have they articulated a vision for rural America.”

Bradley unveiled a wide-ranging farm program earlier this year in Iowa.

Gore spoke of the political obstacles facing school districts that want to increase spending.

He noted that, although America now has the largest generation of school-age children in history--in part a factor of across-the-board population growth--their parents make up a diminishing percentage of voters, due to the increasing longevity of U.S. citizens.

“That makes it difficult to get the kind of financing that principals need to modernize their facilities,” Gore said. “It’s hard to pass the kinds of funding for education improvements that are needed unless we make it a national priority.”

Gore’s plan lets states use the matching funds to create or support preschools in a variety of community-based settings--including in recreation centers, child-care facilities and Head Start centers--if they meet state educational, safety and quality standards.

In recent days, the vice president has increasingly played up education as an issue, in part because he contends that Bradley has not proposed a comprehensive education agenda.

Bradley has disputed that, noting that he would work to reduce class sizes and expand early education programs.

Times researcher Sunny Kaplan in Washington contributed to this story.