Ballard’s revived preschool plan takes big step forward
Indianapolis appears to be on its way to launching a $40 million preschool program to serve the city’s poorest children.
Preschool
Articles
Council leaders, mayor find $15M for pre-K scholarships
City-County Council Democrats and Republicans have agreed on alternative sources to fund a preschool program proposed by Mayor Greg Ballard, which also would include $20 million from private sources.
Nixed grant could have sent 5,700 to preschool
The federal grant application that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence decided not to submit could have helped send 5,700 more state children to preschool programs, documents show.
Pence won’t seek federal dollars to expand pre-K
Gov. Mike Pence has opted to end Indiana’s bid for up to $80 million in federal pre-kindergarten funding, a move that appeases some conservatives as he mulls a 2016 presidential run.
Ballard’s preschool plan gets new life in city budget
The $1 billion budget approved by the City-County Council Monday night included a last-minute amendment that could put $1.7 million toward the mayor’s plan to cut crime and expand access to preschool.
Business, philanthropic leaders urge preschool expansion
Indiana lawmakers should act quickly to expand a preschool pilot program – one that’s not even yet underway – when they meet for their budget-writing session next year, business and not-for-profit leaders said Monday.
Lilly Endowment pledges $22.5M for early-education programs
The funds will help providers around Indiana improve curricula, build classrooms, educate parents about the importance of high-quality child care and education, and support professional development for teachers.
Indiana preschool pilot to begin in 4 counties
Four urban Indiana counties selected for a state-funded preschool pilot program will launch it in early 2015, officials said Wednesday during a day of meetings among state and local officials and educators.
Council Dems say they’re pushing preschool debate into 2016
City-County Council President Maggie Lewis and Vice President John Barth said children could be served next year by the state’s much smaller pilot program, which will reach nearly 800 economically disadvantaged four-year-olds in Marion County.
Democrats raise doubts about Ballard’s preschool plan
Funding concerns involving the homestead credit have prompted work on an alternative plan that Democrats expect to unveil soon.
Marion among counties picked for pre-K pilot program
Five Indiana counties will be part of the state’s preschool pilot program for low-income children, which could be launched in early 2015.
Indiana picks 18 counties as preschool finalists
Twelve urban and six rural counties selected as finalists for an Indiana preschool pilot program have until the end of the month to make their cases, the state announced Wednesday.
Pre-K program won’t be ready for students this fall
The pre-kindergarten pilot program advocated by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and passed by the General Assembly earlier this year will not be ready to launch this fall.
Preschool pilot program headed to Pence’s desk
The General Assembly has approved a pilot program to send low-income children in five counties to preschool.
Senate leader says pre-K pilot program still possible
The pilot program would come in addition to a comprehensive study of preschool programs that was part of the bill as it left the Senate.
Doubt over how to run effective preschools derailed bill
Sen. Luke Kenley scuttled a pilot program of state-funded preschool vouchers for low-income families on Feb. 19, instead sending it to a summer committee to investigate 10 questions he said will help make sure Indiana launches a worthwhile program.
Senate panel kills preschool pilot, sends idea to study committee
The Senate Education Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to change the measure from a limited pilot program to an issue that will be studied over the summer.
Preschool education bill could be in trouble
The chairman of the Senate education committee said some senators are concerned about the bill–which would create a five-county pilot preschool program–due to its cost and connection to the state’s private school voucher system.
Senate Dems push universal state-funded preschool program
Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, said the benefits of preschool are too important to ignore for Indiana to remain one of 10 states that doesn’t put state funding into the programs.
New CEO aims to continue Day Nursery’s 114-year run
Challenges for Ted Maple, formerly in charge of early-childhood education for the United Way, include keeping the venerable child care provider and its $10 million budget in the black.