Montgomery, AL –Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) have announcement of an expansion to the Alabama First Class Pre-K program. The department is planning to add 69 classrooms across 30 counties in the autumn, allowing for over 1,200 children. Classrooms in the first batch are part of the Governor’s special education plans that address turnaround schools and high need areas as well as decreasing wait times for pre-k classes.
“Ensuring that our children get an excellent start in their education is among my top priorities during this second year. Alabama is continuing to be a leader in setting the benchmark for excellence through programs like the Alabama First Class preschool program.” declared Governor Ivey. “I am delighted to see more classrooms being given to areas of the state that have limited access as well as high rates of poverty. Giving all children, regardless of whatever their zip code with a solid base in education is crucial for the development for our nation.”
The last month in the month of April, it was reported that the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) has ranked Alabama the First Class Pre-K as America’s best pre-kindergarten state programme for the seventeen year successive year. Alabama ranks first in the nation as it expands the access of the program to children as young as 4 years old in Alabama.
“Through the direction that of Gov. Ivey along with the Alabama Legislature Alabama’s state preschool program is moving towards the goal of educating 70% of the 4 year-olds,” said Dr. Jan Hume, Acting Secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education.”Since the program’s beginning since 2000, we’ve continued to focus on age-appropriate, effective early learning and developmental experiences for families and children.”
The state’s investment into high-quality pre-kindergarten has resulted in substantial benefits for kids participating with the school. The research on the program’s long-term effects shows that children who attended the First Class PreK were more likely succeed throughout their school years over those who did not take part in the program.
Governor Ivey has signed the budget for 2024. Education Trust Fund budget which included a nearly 12 million increase in the Office of School Readiness that oversees the First Class Pre-K. It will also guarantee that First Class Pre-K teachers with the same raise as teachers in public schools K-12 for the coming school year. The ADECE anticipates funding additional classrooms in the areas that have wait lists, as well as other needs that have been identified.
To be used in Calhoun County the organization selected was the Jacksonville State University Child Development Center. The location for classes will become at the JSU Child Development Center Pre-K. For a full list of schools, you can go to this state web site.
