Early Ed Roundup: Week of May 19 – May 23

Louisiana Lawmakers Consider Universal Pre-K

A key senate committee in Louisiana is considering a set of bills that would make the state pre-k program, called L4, available to all four-year olds in the state by 2013. The legislation, which was introduced by state senator Ann Duplessis, who represents New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward, would gradually scale up the L4 income eligibility requirements on an annual basis until all four year olds were eligible for the program. Proponents of the legislation say it will help bring the high-quality L4 program to children from middle-class families who are often shut out of pre-k programs.

Toddler Pre-K Program Expanding in Texas, Florida

Researchers at the University of Texas are planning to expand educationally oriented pre-k to two- and three- year olds in Dallas. The program, run by the same team that developed and launched the Texas Early Education Model (TEEM), will train Dallas child care workers in the best methods to enhance toddlers’ learning and social skills. The toddler TEEM program is already under way in Houston and Tallahassee, using money from a $6 million federal grant.

Tennesse Budget’s Missing Something

Lawmakers in Tennessee passed a $27 billion 2008-09 budget on Wednesday. Left out: the $25 million proposed by Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) to add 246 more pre-kindergarten classrooms across the state. Earlier this year, Gov. Bredesen was lauded by Pre-K Now for supporting a 31 percent increase in the state pre-k budget this year despite a projected $276 million budget shortfall.

Update: Pay for K Rolls Out in Minneapolis

Earlier, we wrote about how some parents Minneapolis will have to pay $3,000 a year to enroll their children in full-day kindergarten classes as part of a pilot plan by the Minneapolis Public Schools to fix a $13 billion shortfall. The Star Tribune has a story this week about the district’s plans to roll out the program next year at one elementary school, and the mixed parent reactions to the plan. The district currently offers free full-day classes, including at the pilot school. Under the new “Kindergarten Plus” program, lower-income families will pay fees according to a sliding scale, though a district spokesperson said that if the pilot program is successful, the district will likely expand the program in the to the district’s more affluent schools.