Out of the Wilderness: Alaska to Start a Pilot Pre-K Program

Here’s some good news for pre-k even in difficult economic times: This month the state legislature in Alaska, one of twelve states that does not have a state pre-k program, passed Gov. Sarah Palin’s proposed $2 million pilot pre-k program. The program will distribute funds to school districts — and in some cases, community-based organizations — to provide voluntary, half-day pre-kindergarten for up to 500 Alaska 4-year-olds. The state Department of Education and Early Development will develop guidelines for local implementation, as well as a framework for program expansion.

This program is less than half the size of the $5 million program the Governor originally proposed, but a good step nonetheless in a state that is anticipating a budget deficit due to falling oil revenues. Alaska’s fiscal year 2010 budget also includes an additional $600,000 in state funding for Head Start, which would create new spaces for about 60 new children. (Approximately 2,674 Alaskan children are in Head Start programs.)