When Indiana lawmakers get back to work next month after a nine-month legislative break, one of their top priorities will be deciding whether more Indiana 4-year-olds should get free preschool tuition.
The state has spent two years trying out a program in a handful of the state’s 92 counties that has provided preschool support to fewer than 1,600 kids, but demand for the program has far exceeded supply.
That has some Indiana officials, including Gov.-Elect Eric Holcomb and incoming state superintendent Jennifer McCormick, calling for an expansion of the program. But it will be up to lawmakers to decide how much money — if any — the state can spare to provide this service to more kids.
With that discussion beginning next month, we’ve compiled some stories to help educators and community members get a handle on the issue.
- The basics of early childhood education in Indiana: A new era begins.
- Not so fast: Indiana senators worry about cost of expanding preschool
- Indiana House speaker calls for a big expansion of preschool support.
- Limited funding means thousands of poor Indy kids won’t get preschool scholarships.
- Another big push for expanding preschool aid is coming, but Indiana lawmakers remain skeptical.
- Indy business leaders promise to fight for preschool for more kids.
- As the state and city begin new aid programs, preschools seek to expand.
- Surprise! Pence is interested in federal preschool funding after all.
Find more preschool stories from Chalkbeat here.