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

(Washington, D.C.) – In a testament to the strength of the pre-kindergarten movement and of the research behind it, policymakers in Michigan, a state widely considered to be suffering the nation’s most severe economic crisis, increased investment in the Great Start Readiness Program by $20 million since 2006, bringing total state pre-k funding to nearly $104 million. Like lawmakers in Ohio and Pennsylvania, leaders in Michigan see investments in quality pre-k as wise economic development policy, 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.

“In the face of drastic cuts to state and household budgets in Michigan and across the country, this report offers some very good news,” said Libby Doggett, executive director of Pre-K Now. “Policymakers in the country’s manufacturing heartland recognize quality pre-k as a smart policy that provides immediate economic relief to families and improves the future prospects of young children and the communities in which they will live and work as adults.”

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 politically diverse as Michigan is from Alabama, Kansas and Virginia, pre-k support is crossing political aisles.

“Votes Count” also provides – from the perspective of parents – an analysis of the places families would have the best and worst chances of enrolling their children in a high-quality, state-funded pre-k program; 10 states make the notable lists.

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.
• In Ohio, funding for the Early Childhood Education program has increased 92% since FY07 to just under $37 million.
• Funding for Pennsylvania’s Pre-K Counts includes an increase of more than $11 million for a total budget of over $86 million.
• 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.
• 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 Michigan's FY09 pre-k budget