Buried in the noise about Gov. Sarah Palin’s abrupt resignation is news the state is adding $2 million to its early learning efforts, the Daily News-Miner reports.

Alaska will send grants worth $150,000 to $380,000 to communities to create pilot projects that run half-day preschool programs, the state Education and Early Learning Department said.

This year, the state also crossed an important threshold, the Daily News-Miner reported.

“It’s a bit complicated, but it does appear to be the first time we’ve used state general funds for school-operated preschools,” said Eric Fry, spokesman for the education department. The state already provides limited funding to school districts for educating preschool-age children with special needs, he added. – Daily News-Miner 7/23/09.

There is also help for existing child care providers tucked into the aid.

Aside from operating in-school programs, the grant recipients are expected to form partnerships that will strengthen current early learning providers in their communities, and to provide guidance to families that choose to care for their young children at home. The grant also requires the recipients to use specific assessment tools to evaluate the children. – Alaska Department of Education and Early Development release, 7/22/09.

(Thanks Pre-K Now for picking up this development.)

Alaska’s move is refreshing in this year of depressing state budget cuts. On that subject, I am waiting to hear what the new budget deal to close California’s $26 billion deficit means for preschool, pre-k and child care in the country’s biggest state.

Stay tuned. I hope to have an update later today or tomorrow morning.