Despite Grim Economy, Most State Legislatures Continue to Prioritize Pre-K
In spite of worsening economic conditions across the country, the majority
of states stood firm in their commitment to investing in pre-kindergarten
programs, according to "Votes Count: Legislative Action on Pre-K Fiscal Year
2009," a state-by-state analysis of pre-k funding released by Pre-K Now with
support from The Pew Charitable Trusts. This year's "Votes Count" also unveils
a new 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; ten
states make the notable lists.
Although Florida increased its VPK funding by $10.5 million to for a total
of $356 million, the Florida's legislature reduced the overall VPK appropriation
by $6.8 million to reflect projected enrollment. The legislature also failed
to pass a bill that would have phased in higher teacher education requirements.
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In spite of worsening economic conditions across the country, the majority
of states stood firm in their commitment to investing in pre-kindergarten
programs, according to "Votes Count: Legislative Action on Pre-K Fiscal Year
2009," a state-by-state analysis of pre-k funding released by Pre-K Now with
support from The Pew Charitable Trusts. This year's "Votes Count" also unveils
a new 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; ten
states make the notable lists.
Although Florida increased its VPK funding by $10.5 million to for a total
of $356 million, the Florida's legislature reduced the overall VPK appropriation
by $6.8 million to reflect projected enrollment. The legislature also failed
to pass a bill that would have phased in higher teacher education requirements.
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, 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;
- 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%; and
- 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.
Read the Votes Count Report
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