The Kentucky Association of School Superintendents has officially endorsed the Pre-K for All initiative. The program would provide free pre-K to all 4-year-olds in the state.
Governor Andy Beshear said providing pre-k is the most effective way to set children and the state up for success.
“So, in June, I issued an executive order launching the Pre-K for All initiative and created the advisory committee. In the last four months, the Pre-k for All advisory committee has held town halls around the state. We’ve heard from Kentuckians about the challenges they face when it comes to childcare. We brought the town halls to our people because we wanted to make sure that Pre-K for All was the people’s plan,” said Beshear.
Surveys during the town hall meetings found that nearly 90% of the participants support funding going toward preschool. Since its launch, over 60,000 Kentuckians have written to legislators in support of the initiative.
Officials said, as of October 9, 63 of Kentucky’s county judge executives and 31 mayors sent letters to the members of the general assembly asking to expand pre-K.
Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman said Pre-K for All isn’t a want but a need for all Kentucky families.
“It will expand access to childcare and learning. It’ll give parents and caregivers options and help them to save money. It’ll create jobs. And boost our work force. Pre-K for all is not political whatsoever, it is simply the right thing to do for Kentucky,” said Coleman.
Since the advisory board’s creation in June, there have been over 40 outreach events. Parents, educators, business owners and more were able to give suggestions and show support of the Initiative.
Officials said the program could grow the commonwealth’s work force by 70,000 people and increase kindergarten readiness. Additionally, it could boost families earnings by $9,000 per year, for at least six years.
More information can be found at prek4all.ky.dot.gov.