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

(Washington, D.C.) – Arizona tops the list of states in which parents have the worst chance of getting their child into a high-quality, state-funded pre-kindergarten program, according to “Votes Count: Legislative Action on Pre-K Fiscal Year 2009,” a state-by-state analysis released today by Pre-K Now with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts. The report also highlights the effort by some Arizona legislators to plunder tobacco tax proceeds intended for early care and education. Despite a widespread economic downturn, most other states increased investments in pre-k for next year.

“Unfortunately, some Arizona lawmakers see funding for young children as an expendable luxury instead of the critical investment that it is,” said Libby Doggett, executive director of Pre-K Now. “Flat funding an early education program that suffers from chronically low quality and access virtually ensures that more of the state’s children will start school unprepared to learn.”

“Votes Count” 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.

“Arizona legislators had a chance to provide young children with fair chances and parents with good choices,” said Danielle Gonzales, deputy state program director for Pre-K Now. “Instead they tried to defy the voters’ mandate and put the state’s children – particularly the large population of Latino children who would stand to benefit most – on the back burner.”

Additional report highlights:

• Net state investments in pre-k will increase by more than $309 million nationally, to $5.2 billion in the next fiscal year.
• Behind Arizona, Ohio and Kansas offer the worst chances to families seeking high-quality, state-funded pre-k; Oklahoma, West Virginia and Arkansas give families the best chances.
• The District of Columbia and Louisiana join the seven states already providing or phasing in pre-k for all children.
• Two states attempted to divert funds earmarked for early childhood programs: Kentucky and Arizona.
• 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.

###

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 Arizona's FY09 pre-k budget