TN budget shortfall may change Pre-Kindergarten plans

TN budget shortfall may change direction of Pre-Kindergarten... (Added: November 23, 2009)

Governor Bredesen hoped to expand the Pre-K program, but in a report commissioned by the State Comptroller's Office says the positive impact of Pre-K diminishes as years pass. (more)

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TN budget shortfall may change Pre-Kindergarten plans

The report commissioned by the Tenn. Comptroller's Office says there is not much difference in kids who take part in Pre-K versus those that don't by second grade.

By: Dana Wachter | 11 Connects - WJHL TV
Published: November 23, 2009

Johnson City, Tenn. -- In an analysis commissioned by Tennessee's State Comptroller's Office last month, research found that the state's pre-kindergarten program may be re-thought when considering next year's budget.
Rep. Matthew Hill (R-Johnson City) says that K-12 education will remain the top educational priority, but higher education and Pre-K may not see the expansion that some officials hoped would come. He thinks the biggest debate will not necessarily cut the program, but instead, decide where the money to pay for pre-kindergarten comes from. Originally, it was funded by the lottery. Today, much of its cost is footed by the state's general budget. That general budget is where the state's major shortfall is, and Hill says it is important for legislators to take a step back and re-prioritize.
"Everybody else is tightening their belts," says Rep. Hill. "Families are tightening their financial belts, and you know what, the state has to do the same thing. We have to be mindful that this is the people's money."
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TN budget shortfall may change Pre-Kindergarten plans

TN budget shortfall may change direction of Pre-Kindergarten... (Added: November 23, 2009)

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