In New York: State Education Department Awards $34M in Universal Prekindergarten Expansion Grants
The New York State Education Department awarded $34 million in Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Expansion Grants to 64 school districts across the state. The grants will enable districts to establish new full-day prekindergarten placements or to convert existing placements from half- to full-day.
Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, “When children enroll in high-quality and effective PreK programs, they gain a significant advantage in early skills that prepare them for success in elementary school. Expanding access to full-day PreK programs through these grants will help more of New York’s children succeed.”
“When we provide equitable opportunities for children in their early years, they reap the benefits throughout their lives. The Department is deeply committed to providing a strong educational foundation to every single child in New York – because that is what each of them deserves,” Commissioner Betty A. Rosa, Ed.D., said.
All public school districts in New York State were eligible to apply for this competitive grant opportunity. Grants were awarded based on a district’s plan to serve a community’s highest-need schools and students; the level of existing prekindergarten services; the extent to which a district planned to maximize the total number of eligible four-year-old children served in its programs; and other factors. Awarded school districts will be able to operate a 180-day program during the 2024-2025 school year.
Read the full list of awardees.
Tags: early childhood education, funding, State issues
