Vol, 7, No. 16: April 28, 2008		Get SEAchange by email

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3. 4K startup grants awarded

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster notified 32 school districts that their applications were approved to receive state funding for 4-year-old kindergarten (4K) start-up grants.

The Department of Public Instruction received applications to fund 4K programs for more than 4,000 students under the $3 million grant program. Because of the overwhelming demand, the department will prorate funding, which is currently estimated at $722 per child.

"Clearly, school districts know the value of early childhood education," Burmaster said. "When children get an early start on learning, achievement gaps are halted before they begin."

State statute requires the funding to be prioritized to districts that use a community approach to 4K. In a community approach, school districts form a council or advisory group and collaborate with a Head Start, licensed group-based childcare or preschool center to provide 4K services. New 4K programs funded through these grants will start in the 2008-09 school year.

"The community approach model of providing 4K services recognizes the shared responsibility for providing quality early care and education," Burmaster said. "Communities want and need financial support to improve services for 4-year-olds."

More information is available in a DPI news release.

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Last updated on 4/28/2008