Good news! Across the country states are realizing the value of supporting preschool programs. According to an article in Education Week, 27 of the 38 states that providing funding for preschool have either increased or maintained previous funding levels for 2010. Even better, there are two states, Rhode Island and Alaska, currently working on new pilot programs to begin state funding for preschool.
California, a state in the news a lot these days for their major budget shortfalls, is surprisingly among the states increasing funding, thanks to a federal grant.
“We are really pleased by the fact that we were able to maintain our programs,” said Nancy Remley, an education administrator for the California Department of Education. “We know that early education is really one of the best indicators that children are ready for school, and the achievement gap can really be reduced by this reduction in the readiness gap.”
On the down-side, ten states have cut funding and these decisions in Illinois, Ohio and Michigan in particular were described as:
a failure to make tough choices that put proven programs ahead of politics will cost thousands of young children the opportunity to enter kindergarten better prepared
Overall, I see this as a great indicator that our legislators are beginning to recognize the value of quality preschool programs and this can only help the industry.
Filed under: Education Industry, Preschool | Tagged: Education Industry, Preschool
