Holly Barnes Higgins
Office 202.862.9863
Mobile 202.834.6846
hhiggins@preknow.org
(Washington, D.C.) – West Virginia, one of 32 states nationwide that increased spending for pre-kindergarten in the coming fiscal year, ranks among the five “best chance” states for parents interested in finding high-quality, state-funded pre-kindergarten for their child, according to "Votes Count: Legislative Action on Pre-K Fiscal Year 2009.” The report, a state-by-state analysis of pre-k funding released today by Pre-K Now with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts, highlights West Virginia’s steady pace and unique approach to building a quality pre-k program that now serves 46% of all 4-year-olds, as well as 5% of all 3-year-olds.
“To the state’s great credit, leaders in West Virginia are right on track to meet their impressive commitment to provide pre-k to all 4-year-olds,” said Libby Doggett, executive director of Pre-K Now. “Their quality program is a terrific example to the rest of the country of what it looks like to prioritize early learning.”
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.
“In West Virginia, an increasing number of leaders from both parties understand that these programs make a huge difference in the kind of learning a child is ready to take on when they enter school,” said Doggett. “That same child will grow up to contribute to the state’s community and future workforce; so it just makes sense to invest in them early.”
West Virginia ranks second – just behind Oklahoma – on the “Best Chance” list of the places families would have the best and worst chances of enrolling their children in a high-quality, state-funded pre-k program; the state is also among an elite group of states that provide or are phasing-in pre-k for all children: Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, New York and Oklahoma.
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.
- 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.
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