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

(Washington, D.C.) – Despite a challenging budget year with tough fiscal choices, the commitment of Tennessee lawmakers to investing in pre-kindergarten helped earn their state fifth place on a new ranking of “best chance” states for parents seeking a high-quality, state-funded pre-k program for their child, according to "Votes Count: Legislative Action on Pre-K Fiscal Year 2009.” The state-by-state analysis of pre-k funding, released today by Pre-K Now with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts, reveals that Tennessee is among 32 states increasing investments in pre-k programs next year for a total of $5.2 billion nationally.

“It was a tough session in Tennessee, but the phenomenal commitment to pre-k that we’ve seen over the years continues there,” said Libby Doggett, executive director of Pre-K Now. “Even in a tough economy, they found the money to help the pre-k program keep up with inflation.”

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.

“What’s inspiring about Tennessee is the understanding among so many business leaders that early childhood investments really do yield a lifetime of benefits,” said Doggett.

Four states rank higher than Tennessee on the list of places where families have the best chance of enrolling their child in a high-quality, state-funded pre-k program. In order from first to fourth, the other “best chance” states are: Oklahoma, West Virginia, Arkansas and Illinois.

Additional report highlights:

• Net state investments in pre-k will increase by 6.3% or $309 million in FY09, providing an estimated 46,000 families with new access to state-funded pre-k.
• 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.

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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 Tennessee's FY09 pre-k budget