From Cars to Kids Michigan faces another economic setback
On the heels of a crippling economic blow to the nation’s industrial heartland, Michigan lawmakers are considering a proposal that would eliminate the state’s pre-kindergarten program – entirely. Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program is a high-quality pre-k program with proven results, yet state lawmakers are considering cutting its entire $103 million budget. Combined with other deep early education budget cuts, the Great Lakes State is facing a total decrease of $213 million to the very programs designed to build its human capital.
Such draconian cuts will do short and long-term damage to the state. High-quality pre-k reduces grade retention, special education placements and dropout rates. Currently, about one-in-ten of Michigan’s kindergarteners fail to make it to first grade, costing taxpayers millions of dollars in remedial education services. Dismantling the state pre-k program would deprive 30,000 children – equivalent to the population of Plymouth Township – a strong foundation for their future success while adding to Michigan’s 14.1 percent unemployment rate.
More than ever, Michigan’s economy rests on the strength and skill of its future workforce. If Michigan hopes to see an economic renaissance, its leaders must set priorities, invest in human capital, and start with its youngest residents.
Ohio lawmakers are considering a $168 million budget cut that would significantly reduce funding for pre-k in the state. Learning opportunities for 17,000 3- and 4- year olds are at stake as a result of the proposed legislation. This announcement comes on the heels of the release of the state's latest kindergarten assessment results, showing a 72 percent increase in test scores for districts that started a pre-k program in the 2007-2008 school year. Cuts outlined in the proposed budget framework would negatively impact both children most at-risk for school failure and parents most vulnerable to dropping out of the workforce, adding to the state's already staggering 10.8 percent unemployment rate. Early education cuts are just one in a series of many that threaten the services of nearly 120,000 young Ohioans over the next two years.
Through his veto of a bill recently passed by the Texas Legislature, Governor Perry has nixed an effort to increase pre-k quality standards within his state. The additional proposed funding would have enabled districts to mandate bachelor's degrees for pre-k teachers (non-public-school providers would have had three years to meet this requirement) while placing necessary limits on teacher-to-child ratios and class size. In a statement, Governor Perry explained that he wanted more children to be served by the existing pre-k program (rather than creating a new set of standards). Lamenting on his decision, State Representative Diane Patrick, R-Arlington, the author of House Bill 130 commented, "It's a bad day for public education and for Texas' youngest and neediest children." Local advocates remain encouraged by Texas' $25 million pre-k budget increase, but caution lawmakers on ignoring quality enhancements that will yield the highest return on investment for the state.
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The Pew Center on the States identifies and advances state policy solutions. Pre-K Now, a campaign of the Pew Center on the States, collaborates with advocates and policymakers to lead a movement toward high-quality, voluntary pre-kindergarten for all three and four year olds.
You've got questions? We've got answers -- and when it comes to pre-k and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we've got lots of them. Courtesy of Pre-K Now's federal team, here is our great collection of resources to help you navigate and apply ARRA funding.
We're pleased to announce that as of January 1, 2009, Pre-K Now is a campaign of the Pew Center on the States, a division of The Pew Charitable Trusts.
