The U.S. economy was dragging and government budgets were shrinking, but state spending on pre-kindergarten was stable in fiscal 2011, rising 1 percent to $5.4 billion, Pre-K Now reports today.
Overall, 26 states decided not to cut back on pre-k investments, 10 states reduced spending and 11 kept it stable, according to the new analysis released by the Pew Center on the States group. The overall 1 percent rise was not adjusted for inflation.
With some limited hope Republicans and Democrats will hammer out a compromise reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act next year, Pre-K Now hopes state support will encourage Congress to give early education a big role.
“Legislators have consistently found common ground in their support of early childhood education,” Pre-K Now director Marci Young said in a statement. “When Congress debates ESEA renewal, members should study how states have built robust pre-k systems with champions from both parties.”
Two of the biggest questions raised by today’s analysis are: How much state spending on pre-k was tied to funds from the massive economic stimulus? With budget-cutting fever taking hold on Capitol Hill, is pre-k spending about to fall off a cliff?
The analysis and research indicated most states didn't tap stimulus funds for pre-k programs - a few states, such as Florida did - though use of federal stimulus funds wasn’t a major focus of the analysis, according to the group.
If Washington State is any guide, states struggled to find money for early learning and other programs during the last year. Washington was among states that cut pre-k spending, reducing funds for the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, though only by .4 percent. This cut means enrollment in the high quality early education program will fall by 29 students, according to the analysis.
The good news is the analysis reported the state legislature and Gov. Christine Gregoire took steps to preserve early learning in the future, including laws that:
- Set the goal of serving all children eligible for a new early learning program, based on ECEAP, by fall, 2018.
- Prevent cuts in the future to pre-k funding that would lower investments below levels set in fiscal 2011.
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