Holly Barnes Higgins
Office 202.862.9863
Mobile 202.834.6846
hhiggins@preknow.org

(Washington, D.C.) – Arkansas ranks third best out of 38 on a new list of the states where families have the best and worst chance of enrolling their children in high-quality, state-funded pre-kindergarten, according to "Votes Count: Legislative Action on Pre-K Fiscal Year 2009,” a state-by-state analysis of pre-k funding released today by Pre-K Now with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts. Free access to quality pre-k, such as the Arkansas Better Chance program, ensures that young children are prepared for success in school and saves parents a major out-of-pocket expense during a time of rising consumer prices and stagnant or falling wages and home values. Nationwide, 32 states are adding 316 million new dollars to pre-k programs in the next fiscal year. While Arkansas is not among those adding new dollars this year, lawmakers increased ABC funding by 56% in 2007.

“Arkansas is one of the South’s brightest pre-k stars because leaders have worked hard to expand the reach of pre-k to many more of the state’s children,” said Libby Doggett, executive director of Pre-K Now. “As a result of their political will, an increasing number of the state’s children will rise above poverty, graduate from high school and become their own shining stars.”

The report sheds new light on the impact of America’s economic downturn and the role of business leaders in legislative support for pre-k funding increases. Motivated by concerns about workforce development and dismal high school-graduation rates, business leaders - along with a growing number of parents, educators and school administrators - are helping Republicans and Democrats join forces to advance pre-k as a prudent, evidence-based economic and education reform strategy. In places as far-flung and politically diverse as Alabama, Michigan, Kansas and Virginia, pre-k support is crossing political aisles.

“We’ve looked at the research and seen the effects here in our state already – these programs make a huge difference in the kind of learning a child is ready to take on when they enter school,” said Hugh McDonald, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas. “That same child is part of our future workforce, so it just makes sense to invest in them early.”

Additional report highlights:

• Oklahoma and West Virginia are the two places where families have even stronger odds of enrolling children in high-quality pre-k; families’ chances fared the worst in Arizona, Ohio and Kansas.
• Net state investments in pre-k will increase by 6.3% to $5.2 billion in FY09, providing an estimated 46,000 children with new access to state-funded pre-k.
• The District of Columbia and Louisiana join an elite group of seven states already providing or phasing in pre-k for all children: Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma and West Virginia.
• Nine states anticipate increases for pre-k programs funded through their school funding formulas, the most stable source a state can provide.
• For the second year in a row, Iowa had the highest percent increase in pre-k support at 73%.
• Two of the dozen states in the “Pre-K Wilderness” (those without a state-funded pre-k program) took important first steps toward establishing quality programs: Hawaii and Rhode Island.

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Pre-K Now collaborates with state advocates and policymakers to lead a movement for high-quality voluntary pre-kindergarten for all three and four year olds. The following funders contribute to making this important work possible: The Pew Charitable Trusts, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the McCormick Foundation, the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, the Foundation for Child Development, RGK Foundation, CityBridge Foundation, and the Schumann Fund for New Jersey.

The Pew Charitable Trusts (www.pewtrusts.org) is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life. We partner with a diverse range of donors, public and private organizations and concerned citizens who share our commitment to fact-based solutions and goal-driven investments to improve society.

• "Votes Count: Legislative Action on Pre-K Fiscal Year 2009"
• Fast facts on Arkansas's FY09 pre-k budget