Kentucky is receiving a nearly $36 million grant to ensure the state’s children are ready for kindergarten.
Gov. Andy Beshear made the announcement on Thursday.
“My administration will always put education first, and that starts with our youngest students, so they have the strong start in school and life that they deserve,” Beshear said. “This is an investment in our kids and also in our future workforce and economy. It’s personal to me as a dad, because I want all of our kids to have the best opportunities possible right here.”
When a young child enters kindergarten ready for school, Beshear said there is an 82 percent chance that child will master basic skills by age 11, compared with a 45 percent chance for children who are not school ready.
The Office of Early Childhood Development Preschool Development Birth through Five (PDG B-5) grant will provide Kentucky with $11.9 million each year over a three-year period.
The governor said these funds will help the commonwealth develop and expand early learning programs; build an early childhood education workforce talent pipeline; and expand access to high quality education for children most in need.
“This funding strengthens our economy with high-quality early childhood education for our future workforce while meeting today’s concerns of working parents with young children,” Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet Secretary Jamie Link said.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
