Holly Higgins
Office 202.862.9863
Mobile 202.834.6846
hhiggins@preknow.org
(Washington, D.C.) – Governor Bob Riley is called a "profile in courage" by Pre-K Now, a D.C.-based advocacy group which today released its annual state-by-state analysis of gubernatorial leadership on pre-kindergarten. In spite of significant fiscal and political challenges, the governor is among 17 executives who proposed to increase investments in early education by a total of $261 million for FY09. These budget proposals would bring state funding for pre-k to $5.2 billion—a 5.5% funding increase from last year—and make pre-k available to nearly 60,000 more three and four year olds.
"The benefits of a high-quality pre-k program are unmatched, both in the academic advantage it gives children and the economic effects it can have for our state," said Gov. Riley. "Alabama's First Class Voluntary Pre-K is rated as the best pre-kindergarten program in the country for quality, but access is still far too limited. We must continue to expand it so that all Alabama families have the option of high-quality pre-k for their children."
"Leadership Matters: Governors' Pre-K Proposals Fiscal Year 2009" places Gov. Riley among the best of state leaders for his determination and capacity to work with a broad coalition of supporters on behalf of high-quality pre-k programs. Despite a $784 million deficit, Gov. Riley pushed to expand the early learning opportunities that benefit all children during a critical period of child development.
"This recognition of leadership is well deserved," said Linda Tilly, executive director of VOICES for Alabama's Children. "In the face of challenges, the governor remains firm in his commitment to quality pre-k and making the program the best that it can be for Alabama's children and families because he knows that at the end of the day, we all benefit."
Gov. Riley is among the leaders showing extraordinary leadership during a time of fiscal belt-tightening across the country. For the first time in four years, the number of state executives recommending increases in pre-k funding declined; for FY09, four governors collectively proposed a $36 million cut from pre-k programs.
Additional report findings include:
- Commitment to pre-k is neither "red" nor "blue": both Republican and Democratic governors proposed pre-k funding increases.
- A growing trend among leaders is to protect pre-k funding by linking it to the state's school funding formula.
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Pre-K Now collaborates with state advocates and policymakers to lead a movement for high-quality voluntary pre-kindergarten for all three and four year olds. The following funders contribute to making this important work possible: The Pew Charitable Trusts, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the McCormick Tribune Foundation, the Foundation for Child Development, RGK Foundation, CityBridge Foundation, PNC Financial Services Group, and the Schumann Fund for New Jersey.
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