News Brief
West Virginia Receives High Marks for Pre-Kindergarten Support
Register-Herald (05/02/13) Plummer, SarahWest Virginia was recognized for its efforts to increase pre-kindergarten resources in the National Institute for Early Education Research's "State of Preschool 2012" report. The state increased per pupil pre-K funding by $10 million in 2011-12 to about $6,000 per child, compared to the national average of $3,841. NIEER Research Director Steve Barnett says, "We are pleased to see West Virginia has stayed on schedule as it marches toward its goal of universal access to pre-K. It serves as a model for other states." The state's pre-K program meets 10 of the group's benchmarks for quality standards. State Superintendent of Schools Jim Phares says, "Providing high quality pre-K and rich educational opportunities to all children is paramount to their future success. Kindergarten teachers will tell you children who attend high quality preschool enter kindergarten ready to learn with skills that children who don't attend pre-K have yet to develop. It kick-starts learning."
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