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

(Washington, D.C.) – Rhode Island lawmakers helped the state take its first steps out of the “Pre-K Wilderness,” according to “Votes Count: Legislative Action on Pre-K Fiscal Year 2009,” a national analysis of early education funding released today by Pre-K Now with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts. While the report acknowledged the substantial decrease in state Head Start funding, it also applauded recent legislative efforts to preserve some portion of that funding and to develop a state-funded pre-k program in Rhode Island, one of only 12 states without one.

“To the credit of some policymakers who recognize the importance of quality pre-k to children, families and the state’s economy, the news coming out of Rhode Island isn’t as bad as it could be,” said Libby Doggett, executive director of Pre-K Now. “We applaud their efforts to reinstate some Head Start funding and to lay the groundwork for a pre-k pilot program.”

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.

“Making our state more competitive and attractive means preparing our children early to develop important social and cognitive skills that will help them become successful learners and grow up to be productive adults,” said Brian Goldner, chief executive officer of Hasbro, Inc. “When so many states offer pre-k programs, Rhode Island’s absence needs to be corrected.”

“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 findings include:

• In addition to Rhode Island, Hawaii is the only other state of the dozen in “Pre-K Wilderness” (those without a state-funded pre-k program) to take important first steps toward establishing a program;
• 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;
• 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; and
• Nine states anticipate increases for pre-k programs funded through their school funding formulas, the most stable source a state can provide.

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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 Rhode Island's FY09 pre-k budget