Schools in the Finger Lakes share in $15M Pre-K funds
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that $15 million has been awarded to 26 school districts to increase access to high-quality pre-kindergarten for over 2,000 three and four year-old children across New York.
The funding will support the expansion of pre-k to high-need and underserved school districts as part of the state’s ongoing effort to promote early education and improve academic outcomes for all students.
“New York is making an unprecedented commitment to universal pre-kindergarten for children living in high-need and underserved school districts,” Governor Cuomo said. “This funding will help ensure more children than ever before are able to attend pre-k and enjoy the proven benefits of early childhood education into adulthood.”
Funding was awarded to districts based on quality of applications and other factors such as district and student need, the state’s effort to target the highest need students, and a focus on maximizing the total number of children served in pre-kindergarten programs.
Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said these funds would be immensely helpful for districts. “Incredible work is being done across New York to increase opportunities for critical early education for our youngest learners. Providing equitable access to high-quality prekindergarten programs for three and four year old children statewide is a priority for the Board of Regents and the Department so we can ensure that more children enter the school age program on a trajectory of success,” she said.
Interim State Education Commissioner Shannon Tahoe said echoed that sentiment. “Early childhood programs, Pre-K in particular, support student outcomes in later grades, by giving our youngest learners a great start. We are excited by the expansion of these programs statewide that increasingly offer prekindergarten students the strong start they need to succeed in school and in life,” she added.
Here are the local districts that secured funding:
Geneva City Schools: $77,355
Marcus Whitman CSD: $221,824
Honeoye CSD: $97,200
Hornell City Schools: $445,806
Phelps-Clifton Springs CSD: $375,251
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