HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 03-15 Dayton offers smaller preschool funding proposal STAR TRIBUNE4/1/2016
Dayton offers smaller preschool funding proposal - StarTribune.com
Dayton offers smaller preschool funding
proposal
By KEVIN BURBACH Associated Press MARCH 15, 2016 — 3:55PM
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Facing financial constraints and the specter of last year's failed push,
Gov. Mark Dayton unveiled a new, scaled-back proposal on Tuesday for a statewide
preschool system in Minnesota.
The governor's supplemental budget includes spending $25 million in the next year for a
voluntary prekindergarten program that would allow about 3,700 more 4 -year-olds to
attend preschool. His budget also proposes $100 million for the program in the next
two-year budget cycle.
The pared -back plan is a recognition of the limitations posed even by a seemingly large
budget surplus and the political difficulty his push for universal preschool faced last
year. That broader proposal was rebuffed by GOP lawmakers and Democrats alike,
citing concerns about space requirements, costs and demand by parents.
Dayton vowed to resume his push for a more comprehensive, statewide preschool
program next year if the economic outlook improves.
"Sometimes you can make progress in big giant steps, and sometimes you have to make
progress in slow, steady, incremental steps," said Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, whom Dayton has
charged with leading the administration's early education efforts.
The governor's budget includes a variety of proposals for early childhood initiatives. He
is renewing calls to expand a child care tax credit to 92,000 families and offer an
estimated 18,000 families extra help for educational expenses. He is also pushing to
spend $94 million to increase the maximum amount of reimbursements that can be paid
to providers participating in the state's Child Care Assistance Program, which helps
parents who are working or going to school to pay for child care.
Sen. Chuck Wiger, a Maplewood Democrat who chairs the Senate Education Committee,
said he applauds the governor's push for a voluntary preschool program and believes a
holistic approach is best for preparing students.
"It all contributes to the probability that a young person will be ready for kindergarten
and will be likely to succeed on their journey through school and ultimately walking the
stage at graduation," he said.
For his universal preschool program, Dayton has proposed awarding funding to districts
or individual schools based on poverty rates and the availability of high-quality
programs in an area. The funding would be split between urban, suburban and outstate
Minnesota school districts and charter schools and would allow an estimated 13 percent
of the state's 4 -year-olds to attend an early learning program.
School districts and charter schools offering preschool programs would be required to
provide at least 350 hours of instruction each school year under Dayton's plan.
The governor's proposed universal preschool program last year gained little traction.
Even though he has narrowed his focus, this year's approach could still be a tough sell
for Republicans who prefer more targeted spending — if any at all.
Rep. Jenifer Loon, the chairwoman of the House Education Finance Committee, said
Tuesday she still believes that closing the state's achievement gap between white and
minority students is best accomplished by targeting early childhood education to the
students who "most show benefit from receiving it."
"Our investments in early childhood are best targeted at the highest -risk students," Loon
said. "And creating even limited numbers of locations, universal pre -K moves away from
that."
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4/1/2016
Dayton offers smaller preschool funding proposal - StarTribune.com
As he's said in the past, the governor wants to diversify and increase the state's teacher
workforce. He's proposed approximately $12 million for each of the next three years that
would in part lower tuition for teachers who agree to work in areas where there are
shortages and also allow licensed teachers to more easily obtain licenses for other
subjects or specializations.
He also has proposed spending $2 million in funding for Full -Service Community
Schools, which serve as one-stop shops for academic, social and health needs — such as
after-school programs, medical and dental services and resource centers — for parents
and students.
The governor didn't include increase funding for school counselors, of which there's a
shortage in the state. Wiger, the Senate education chairman, said overall he was very
pleased with the budget but would like see funding for counselors.
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