ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton and Education Commissioner Brenda Casselius have announced the 74 school districts and charter schools that will receive state funding for preschool this year. The state passed a scaled-back voluntary pre-K program this year that aims to improve early childhood education in impoverished school districts.
Nearly 60 percent of the school districts that applied for the funding were rejected. The governor said the high number of rejections highlights the need to increase funding, which has been a top legislative priority of his for several years now.
“Minnesota schools and families want voluntary pre-kindergarten, and our children need it to succeed,” Gov. Dayton. said “But without additional funding, thousands of kids will be denied the educational opportunities they need to achieve their greatest potentials. Lt. Governor Smith and I will keep fighting until every Minnesota family has the choice to send their child to preschool.”
Last year, Minnesota was ranked No. 50 in the nation for access to full-day early learning programs. According to the Annie E. Casey Kids Count Data Book, 55 percent of Minnesota’s 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds are not enrolled in preschool. Monday’s funding announcement will enroll 3,302 4-year-olds in preschool.
“We still have a lot of work ahead to address the opportunity gaps that are barriers to many of our children succeeding,” said Commissioner Cassellius. “Providing free public access to pre-kindergarten that is high quality, free of charge, and close to home is a great step in the right direction. Looking ahead we will continue building on Minnesota’s promise of an equitable and excellent education for all children and that starts with pre-kindergarten for every family that chooses it for their child.”
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report
Districts awarded preschool funding