Holly Barnes Higgins
Office 202.862.9863
Mobile 202.834.6846
hhiggins@preknow.org
State still ranks among the worst for parents looking to enroll a child in state-funded pre-k
(Washington, D.C.) – Kansas legislators are recognized for expanding access to pre-kindergarten and for making much-needed quality improvements a priority in “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.
The report highlights the bipartisan efforts behind the progress, which resulted in a new block grant for early care and education set to receive $11 million in its first year. While expanded access and quality improvements indicate good news for the future, “Votes Count” notes that Kansas is currently among the “Worst Chance States” on a new list of places where families have the best and worst chance of enrolling their child in high-quality, state-funded pre-k.
“While the low ranking in our report reflects how far Kansas still needs to go, state legislators worked hard during the recent session on behalf of pre-k and together, achieved one of this year’s most impressive bipartisan success stories,” said Libby Doggett, executive director of Pre-K Now. “In Kansas and across the country, leaders from both parties recognize that these critical early learning years are neither red nor blue.”
The report also 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.
“Like most businessmen, I’m a big fan of return on investment – which is why an increasing number of us want to ensure that our state’s 4-year-olds enter school ready to succeed,” said Barry Downing, chairman of Corporate Lodging Consultants and a member of the Kansas Coalition for School Readiness Board of Directors. “It just makes sense to prioritize pre-k if we want to see children become good learners and, eventually, productive citizens.”
Additional findings include:
- Net state investments in pre-k will increase by 6.3% to $5.2 billion in FY09, providing an estimated 46,000 families with new access to state-funded pre-k.
- Besides Kansas, Ohio and Arizona offer families the worst chances of getting high-quality, state-funded pre-k; Oklahoma, West Virginia and Arkansas give families the best chances.
- 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.
- 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.
"
Print this page
Email this Page
Press Releases
