Preschool options are growing in Indianapolis and statewide, but real practical hurdles remain before early education advocates say the state will have enough quality preschools to serve a growing need for early childhood education programs.
In Indianapolis, expanding preschool will require teacher training, better teacher pay and other incentives to build programs that can help poor children catch up to their wealthier peers so they will also have the skills they need to begin kindergarten, preschool experts said at an event organized by Chalkbeat.
Video is now available from a panel moderated last month by Chalkbeat Bureau Chief Scott Elliott about the future of preschool in Indianapolis. It included Indianapolis Deputy Mayor for Education Jason Kloth, Early Learning Indiana President Ted Maple, Butler University College of Education Dean Ena Shelley and Flanner House Child Development Director Shalonda Murray.
The event was April 18 at Butler University’s Eidson-Duckwall Recital Hall. Sponsored by Kroger, Chalkbeat’s partners to produce the panel included Butler, WFYI, the American Graduate Project and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
If the video doesn’t play above, click here to watch it.