General Assembly votes to expand pre-k

Education

Apr 21

"We are pleased the General Assembly has voted to expand Indiana’s pre-k program with 112 bipartisan votes in favor, and we applaud lawmakers’ efforts to secure a sizeable funding increase so that many more children from low-income families will have the opportunity to access the strong start in school and in life that pre-k affords. While the budget has not yet passed, we’re pleased to see $22 million proposed in annual funding. This program expansion is a down payment on Indiana’s future — one that will deliver significant financial returns to our state’s economy, help create a talented workforce and strengthen our communities.”

“We thank the Indiana General Assembly and Gov. Eric Holcomb for their ongoing commitment to growing the number of low-income children served by Indiana’s pre-k program. There is more work to do to ensure Indiana’s more than 27,000 low-income 4-year-olds receive the education they need to start — and stay — on track. But pre-k expansion will help Hoosiers make substantial progress in providing high-quality early education opportunities for our most vulnerable children.”

--Pre-k Coalition led by United Way of Central Indiana and its partners Early Learning Indiana, Eli Lilly, PNC Bank, Cummins, the Indy Chamber, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, and the Indiana Association of United Ways