As state expands On My Way Pre-K, challenges remain in reaching more Hoosier children
As Hoosier families prepare to send their children to state-funded pre-K programs this week, today Early Learning Indiana released a new policy brief examining access to high-quality programs statewide.
“Mile Markers: Access to High-Quality Pre-K” supplements the “On the Road to Pre-K Expansion” report released by Early Learning Indiana in June. The “Mile Markers” series of in-depth briefings reviews challenges and opportunities surrounding early education in Indiana and will be published throughout the year.
In addition to comparing Indiana’s program to other states, “Mile Markers: Access to High-Quality Pre-K” highlights several key facts surrounding pre-K access, including the importance of access to high-quality state-funded pre-K, how research defines and supports expanded access, and steps Indiana must take to increase access to high-quality programs.
The analysis also finds that Indiana is ranks 43rd out of 44 states that offer state-funded pre-K programming and is the only state with eligibility standards tied to work and education requirements.
“Access to high-quality, state-funded pre-K should not stop at a county line,” writes Dr. Karen Ruprecht, Early Learning Indiana’s Director of Research and Practice and briefing author. “Much like roads, pre-K should be treated as a critical piece of our state’s infrastructure and economy, a piece that helps ensure our future success.”
Media Contact: Jeff Harris, 317.636.9197 ext. 337, jeffh@earlylearningindiana.org
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