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Michigan Lifts Kids Up, Even When the Economy is Down
Michigan is confirming the trend that even in times of economic difficulty, pre-k deserves to stand as a priority. Despite its fifth year with revenue shortfall, the state has granted pre-k a 5 percent funding increase, according its new FY09 budget. This expansion is in addition to a $4.7 million supplemental increase the program received in the middle of FY08, bringing total funding to $103.5 million. The investment in pre-k is central to Michigan’s efforts to rebuild its economy, which needs generations of higher skilled workers to attract and keep businesses in the health care, information technology, and alternative energy fields. After signing legislation this Wednesday to fund schools, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm insisted, “As the 21st century economy changes, our education system must change with it.”  read more
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Georgia Pre-K Proud But Not All Peachy
Georgia is marking significant milestones in 2008: the earliest participants in its state pre-k program are starting college and the Georgia Lottery Corporation’s lifetime contributions to the program have topped $3 billion. The success of the lottery – uniquely, the sole source of state pre-k funding – has helped enrollment grow to 53 percent of four year olds. But a Southern Education Foundation report warns that, by other measures, Georgia is not a national pre-k leader. Progress toward its pre-k-for-all goal has stalled, and waiting lists have swelled, in part because of limited classroom space. Also, Georgia’s standards for pre-k teachers are lower than many other states’ requirements. Policymakers should heed the report’s message that consistent and strong leadership is just as essential to keeping the pre-k promise as healthy lottery revenues. read more
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