Governor Bentley Highlights Need for Expansion of Alabama's Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: February 19, 2013
Governor
Robert Bentley on Tuesday visited Clanton Elementary School's
Pre-Kindergarten Program to highlight his support for expanding First
Class, Alabama's
Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program.
First
Class is ranked number-one in the nation for quality by the National
Institute for Early Education Research. However, only six percent of
four-year-olds in Alabama
are enrolled. Governor Bentley is proposing additional funding in the
fiscal year 2014 Education Trust Fund to expand access to the voluntary
program.
"This
is a wise investment that will change the lives of children across the
state," Governor Bentley said. "A high-quality, voluntary
pre-kindergarten program gives
students a strong foundation. It improves their chances for success in
K-12 school. We must give more families the option of enrolling their
children in this successful voluntary program."
Currently,
the Office of School Readiness is able to offer 217 First Class
voluntary Pre-K classrooms. In his Education Trust Fund Budget proposal
on February 6, Governor
Bentley included a $12.5 million expansion for voluntary Pre-K. This
proposal is expected to add at least 125 additional voluntary Pre-K
classrooms in Alabama, serving approximately 2,200 additional students.
Governor Bentley would like to see additional
expansion in subsequent years to give even more families the option of
Pre-K enrollment.
Voluntary
Pre-K programs are offered through public schools, private child care
centers, Head Start programs, universities and community-based
organizations. Of the
217 First Class classrooms in Alabama, 102 are located in a non-public
school setting.
House
Education Budget Chairman Jay Love was among those who toured Clanton
Elementary School's voluntary Pre-K program with Governor Bentley
Tuesday.
"We
have seen positive results among those who have participated in
voluntary Pre-K. The continued investment in expanding Alabama's
voluntary Pre-K program will yield
huge dividends for our children in the near future," Representative Love
said.
