Published in Troy Messenger on Thursday, May 19th
Pike County Elementary School will offer a voluntary pre-kindergarten program next year thanks to a state grant.
Pike County Elementary School was one of the more than 150 grants announced on Tuesday by Gov. Robert Bentley.
“Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten is a proven program that prepares students for success,” Bentley said. “Only 20 percent of Alabama’s four-year-olds are currently enrolled in the First Class program. Along with the support of legislative funding, we will continue to expand access to this program until every Alabama parent who wants their child to attend has access. I appreciate the staff at the Department of Early Childhood Education for working hard to help organizations receive grants.”
The grants expand the state’s First Class voluntary pre-k program to more schools, faith-based preschools, child care centers, Head Start locations and other sites across the state. Grants were awarded based on local needs, local demand and assurances of high quality standards. Each grantee is required to provide a 25 percent match.
Pike County Schools received a $120,000 grant to open a pre-k program at Pike County Elementary School. The grants allow the voluntary pre-k to be offered free of charge to area students.
The Pike County Schools have benefitted from the program before, as well. In 2015, the school district received funding for pre-k programs at Goshen Elementary and Banks Elementary. Other local programs receiving funding last year include the Christian Love Center and OCAP in Troy (2) and Brundidge (1).
The 155 new grants in 2016 will benefit 41 counties across Alabama and positively impact an additional 2,790 students’ lives. In his Education Trust Fund budget recommendation, Bentley recommended a $20 million increase for the voluntary pre-k program. The Alabama Legislature approved a $16 million increase.
First Class is managed by the Alabama Office of School Readiness. The office is part of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood, which is overseen by Bentley.
Alabama is one of only two states in the country to meet all 10 quality benchmarks for the last ten years as established by the National Institute for Early Education Research. Alabama’s quality focus is a national model for other states.
“Alabama First Class Pre-K is a high quality program of excellence that provides children the rich learning experiences that significantly impacts school achievement and life success,” Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Secretary Jeana Ross said.
“The First Class Pre-K program model produces real, sustained results in closing the learning gaps for children and fosters the social, emotional and cognitive development of all children.
“As the access to this high quality program continues to expand, Alabama will determinedly preserve this standard of quality.”
