New York City’s universal pre-K program already earns high marks from parents and early childhood experts. On Tuesday, the city gained another recognition.
The Ash Center, a research institute at Harvard University, named New York City’s Pre-K for All as one of this year’s “Top 25 Innovations in American Government.” The city is also one of seven finalists for the grand prize, which recognizes “excellence and creativity in the public sector.” The winner will be announced later this summer, and could be used as a case study by the John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Mayor Bill de Blasio campaigned on the promise of providing free pre-K for every four-year-old in the city. Today, there are 70,000 students enrolled in Pre-K for All — a more than threefold increase since 2013-14.
The mayor recently announced plans to expand pre-K to all of the city’s 3-year-olds by 2021, an ambitious undertaking that would require $700 million in state and federal funding to become a reality.
“New York City recognizes the importance of investing in our youngest learners, and giving them the vocabulary and socio-emotional foundation they need to thrive in kindergarten and beyond,” schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña said in a statement.