WA budget boosts early learning; money provided for full-day kindergarten and more

Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a lean budget yesterday that closed a $5.1 billion deficit, but also contained investments in early learning that put the state in position to compete for tens of millions of dollars in new federal grants.

At a time when education programs are getting cut around the country, early learning fared well in the Washington budget. There is money to expand state-funded preschool by 165 spots, a fresh investment in the kindergarten assessment initiative, known as WaKIDS and more money for full-day kindergarten. It also contains new public funds to match private grants for home visiting programs.

The home visiting investment means the state can now compete for a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services worth between $9 million and $10 million. While Washington must compete for that money, its investment ensures it will receive a different home visiting grant worth $1.8 million.

By Paul Nyhan

Full Story: http://birthtothrive.thrivebyfivewa.org/post/2011/06/16/Washington-Budget-Boosts-Early-Learning-Positions-State-to-Compete-for-New-Federal-Funds.aspx