Latest news with #PreK
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Beshear's Pre-K for All initiative aims to close achievement gap, boost workforce
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) — State leaders met in Louisville on Wednesday to celebrate the launch of an initiative that aims to advance the commonwealth's public education system and economy. According to a news release, the Pre-K for All initiative is projected to grow Kentucky's workforce by up to 70,000 people while providing a higher quality education for future generations. State statistics showed that during the 2023 academic year, 53.8% of Kentucky's children were unprepared when they showed up for their first day of kindergarten. Kentucky AG: Fayette County Public Schools violated law in attempted tax hike 'Before they even step through the door, they are behind. This creates an achievement gap that is nearly impossible to close,' Gov. Beshear said. 'To increase kindergarten-readiness, we need to offer pre-K for every 4-year-old across the state of Kentucky.' Beshear noted during Wednesday's event in Louisville that 18 states, including Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, and West Virginia, offer pre-K access for all 4-year-olds. The governor reportedly issued an executive order on Wednesday creating the Team Kentucky Pre-K for All Advisory Committee, consisting of 28 members from across the state with 'a broad range of experience in business, workforce development, and education.' Kentucky considers new area code as 502 nears exhaustion Corbin woman accused of shooting into air across state highway, parking lot Nicholasville police investigating overnight 'armed robbery' near Shun Pike Beshear said that data from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services shows that of Kentucky's 120 counties, nearly two-thirds don't have access to enough child care to serve each family who needs it, with the majority of those located in eastern Kentucky. More information about Beshear's June 4 executive order, including those appointed to the PreK for All Advisory Committee, can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Finding strength in difficult times: MLPP looks at investing for the future
President and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy Monique Stanton speaks at the league's public policy forum in Lansing on Mar. 13, 2025. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols There's a long road ahead for organizations committed to promoting economic and racial justice, but it's important to keep fighting for fair systems for Michiganders, Monique Stanton, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy, said during the group's public policy forum in Lansing Thursday. A top of line issue cited by MLPP during the forum is the future of Medicaid, which covers the health care costs of more than 2.6 million Michiganders. With the Trump administration's failed federal spending freeze and Republicans in Congress proposing large-scale slashes both threatening Medicaid, Stanton said it's time to recognize the strength organizations have to work together to hold fast to promoting the social safety net. And the intent of some of the moves by the Trump administration and other federal players is clear, Stanton said: To exhaust organizations, make citizens overwhelmed and cause fear. 'So much of the work we do is coming under direct and malicious attack by our federal administration,' Stanton said. 'We refuse to back down on this work and when things are especially hard, like right now, I do believe that it's especially important to recognize some of the wins that have had when we have them.' Though the final days of the first in decades bicameral Democratic majority in the Michigan Legislature in the previous session ended in confusion and disorder, there were a few bills that made it into law that will work to promote prosperity, Stanton said. As Michigan faces an affordable housing crisis, Stanton said MLPP was happy to see the package of bills prohibiting landlords from denying a person the ability to rent housing due to source of income, including government subsidies, make it into law. Other wins for the league include legislation aimed at promoting maternal health care access, expanding eligibility for freestanding birth centers and increasing benefits for unemployed Michiganders in between jobs, Stanton said. There's interest in keeping momentum going for setting Michiganders up for success, the league's Fiscal Policy Director Rachel Richards told Michigan Advance. But as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer continues her goal of increasing PreK enrollment, Richards said the league would like to see a more 'holistic' look at early childhood development as state budget talks are underway. 'Under that umbrella, we also really need to make sure that we're taking care of our infants and toddlers who quite often require the most expensive care. They would require the most one-on-one care,' Richards said. 'We think that that piece was kind of really left out of the governor's budget recommendation.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Whitmer says record pre-K enrollment will save Michigan families $10K per year
Governor Gretchen Whitmer, speaking at Livonia Early Childhood Center, where she announced that Michigan has achieved record PreK enrollment. March 12, 2025. Submitted photo. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says Michigan families will save an estimated $10,000 per year in child care costs after the state achieved record PreK for All enrollment. Whitmer, making the announcement Wednesday at the Livonia Early Childhood Center, said enrollment in the Great Start Readiness Program, or GSRP, the state's primary PreK program, is up 24% since she unveiled the PreK for All initiative in 2023. 'This school year, a record number of children are enrolled in no-cost, high-quality PreK programs across the state, saving Michigan $475 million,' said Whitmer. 'Today, 56% of Michigan's 4-year-olds are enrolled in free preK, and in this year's budget, we can build on this momentum to set up more kids for lifelong success and save even more families more money.' According to a press release from the Governor's office, preliminary reports to the state from intermediate school districts indicate more than 47,500 4-year-olds are enrolled in GSRP programs in the 2024-25 school year. That includes students in Head Start, developmental kindergarten and early childhood special education. In addition to creating a foundation for children to be successful in school and work, a recent analysis by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research found that for every dollar spent on PreK for All, $1.72 in total economic benefits is created in Michigan. Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea is the director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, or MiLEAP. 'We know how important early learning experiences are to children's development and success, which is why MiLEAP is working with partners across the state to expand access to PreK for All,' she said. 'PreK not only benefits 4-year-olds, it also benefits our economy as families can work or go to school knowing their children are safe and learning.' Enrollment in PreK for All is now open to all families, no matter their income, for the 2025-26 school year for children who will be 4-years-old by Dec. 1, 2025. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Governor Whitmer announces record enrollment for PreK students in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. (FOX 2) - The cost of childcare and early education can really be a grind, especially for families living paycheck to paycheck in Michigan. That's why Governor Gretchen Whitmer is touting her free 'PreK for All' program, which has seen increased enrollment over two years. Big picture view Whitmer was reading to preschoolers at Livonia's Early Childhood Center on Wednesday. After story time, she announced the latest data on Michigan's free 'PreK for All,' a program she established two years ago to improve accessibility for children and families. "Enrollment in Michigan's free PreK Program has reached 47,500, which is the highest we've been in over a decade," she said. By the numbers According to Whitmer, that's 56% of Michigan's 4-year-olds now enrolled in the Great Start Readiness Program, with the overall goal of 70%. Tonya Blake was also speaking at the event, saying the program has been a lifesaver for her grandson. "It's a free program," Blake said. "He attends four full days of school per week. We wouldn't have been able to afford it on our own." It's estimated that free PreK saves parents on average around $10,000 a year. Governor Whitmer is looking forward to expanding the program. It's listed in her budget plan, which is now in the hands of state lawmakers. "We want them to take advantage of this opportunity because kids who are ready for kindergarten excel when they get to school instead of learning the basics," she said. "That's why we made this investment. It's making a difference in kids' lives and families' lives, and you can save a lot of money too." What you can do If you're a family that needs some help, there's still time and space for you to get your child enrolled in that free PreK Program. You can learn more about it on the Michigan website. The Source FOX 2 used information from the Michigan website and attended the PreK event in Livonia.
