New York, NY —

Education advocates are thrilled that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn called for universal pre-K in her state of the city address yesterday. Gail Nayowith, of the Citizens Committee for Children, says working parents and their kids would benefit greatly from an expanded pre-Kindergarten program.

NAYOWITH: We figure that there are another probably 70,000 or more youngsters who could benefit from a half day of Pre-K or full day if we could do that.

REPORTER: Nayowith says additional money from Albany will provide funding for 12,000 more Pre-K slots, but that the city has yet to find the space to house the new classes. Education advocates believe quality Pre-K programs pay off in improved academic performance.