Supporting High-Quality Early Learning Programs Helps Build Strong
Future Workforce
PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 25, 2012--
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) is taking advantage of the
Pre-K Scholarship component of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit
program (EITC) by donating to the YMCA Child Development Center at
Duquesne University and the Arsenal Family and Children’s Center located
in Friendship. Both organizations, along with almost 1,000 others in the
state, are officially rated as high-quality programs through
accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young
Children and by participating in Keystone STARS at a STAR 3 or 4 level.
Companies that donate to approved pre-kindergarten scholarship
organizations are eligible to receive a tax credit equal to 100% of the
first $10,000 contributed and up to 90% of the remaining contribution up
to a maximum credit of $150,000 annually.
“When children start school ready to learn, they grow into highly
capable, responsible adults who are able to fill the jobs that we’ll
have waiting for them,” said
Marcie Eberhart
, director of the American
Eagle Outfitters Foundation. “With so many quality programs to choose
from, along with the pre-kindergarten EITC tax credit, we’re encouraging
our fellow Pennsylvania businesses to consider a contribution.”
The pre-kindergarten EITC was established to support increased funding
to high-quality early childhood programs, thereby improving their
long-term effectiveness and benefits to the state overall. Research
shows that children who fall short of reading proficiency by third grade
are likely to drop out of school and therefore lack the skills that
employers demand. Additionally, disadvantaged children can start to
trail their higher-income peers in education achievement by as early as
18 months of age. Every dollar invested in quality prekindergarten
counters the consequences of that gap by returning more than $16 through
lower spending on crime and welfare, plus higher tax revenues from
citizens earning better salaries. *
In less than two decades, American Eagle Outfitters and employers all
across Pennsylvania will start hiring today’s infants, toddlers, and
preschoolers. Applications for the tax credits are accepted beginning
July 1, 2012. For more information, including a list of qualifying
non-profit organizations, or to apply, visit www.newpa.com/eitc.
*Lifetime Effects: The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study Through Age
40 (2005).
About American Eagle Outfitters
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., through its subsidiaries, (“AEO, Inc.”)
offers high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care
products at affordable prices. The American Eagle Outfitters® brand
targets 15 to 25 year old girls and guys, with more than 937 stores
worldwide, and online at www.ae.com.
aerie® by american eagle offers Dormwear® and intimates collections for
the AE® girl, with 158 standalone stores in the U.S. and Canada and
online at www.aerie.com.
The latest brand, 77kids® by american eagle®, is available online at www.77kids.com,
as well as at 21 stores across the nation. The 77kids brand offers “kid
cool,” durable clothing and accessories for kids ages zero to 14.
AE.COM®, the online home of the brands of AEO, Inc. ships to 77
countries.
Source: American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
For AEO:
Sam Nelson, 412-432-4500
nelsons@ae.com
or
For
DCED
Edward Jordan, 717-783-1132
edjordan@pa.gov