Gov. Whitmer announces preschool funding plan for early childhood education

LANSING, Mich. - Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a plan to ensure 22,000 children can enroll in early childhood education.

Whitmer announced a plan for access to high-quality, affordable early education opportunities that prepare for success.

The Great Start Readiness Program, the state-funded preschool program for four-year-old children, has not been able to meet the demand and currently only 66% of eligible children statewide are served by GSRP or federal Head Start programs.

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“We have a unique opportunity right now to make the type of investments in early education and preschool that will pay massive dividends by improving health, educational, and social outcomes for our children decades down the line,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Parents across our state are aware of the importance of early education and now we have to seize this chance to eliminate waitlists for eligible children. The investments announced today provide access to all eligible children and will help narrow the achievement gap between high-income and low-income students. As we put Michigan back to work, parents can go about their work day knowing that their children are learning in a safe and productive environment.”

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GSRP provides full or part-day services to children from families at or below 250% of the poverty line, which is $66,250 for a family of four.

“Early childhood education is critical for the development and future success of all children. By investing in universal Pre-K education we can ensure that every Detroit child has the opportunity to get the head start they need,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “I appreciate Gov. Whitmer's leadership in prioritizing the education of our youngest children across Detroit and Michigan.”

Governor Whitmer’s plan proposes an additional $255 million in federal dollars and $150 million in state dollars, for a total of $405 million, for GSRP over the next three years.

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The plan also calls for an additional $50 million in federal funds to support a successful expansion, such as:

• Ensuring an adequate supply of providers based on regional demands through grants to providers (an estimated 1,500 additional classrooms may be needed, at $15,000 per classroom, costs would be $22.5 million)
• Ensuring additional access to transportation for early education with $15 million in addition to the $10 million currently dedicated to transportation.
• Providing scholarships to early educators to ensure teaching staff are properly credentialed as well as providing curriculum purchasing and training grants to ensure all programs are using state-recommended, research-based material ($7 million).
• Expanding outreach efforts to increase parental awareness of the availability of free programs in their area and developing web resources to connect parents to all programs in their area ($5.5 million).

“There is no better investment than our children,” said Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint). “As a former teacher, I’ve seen firsthand the long-term benefits of a quality preschool education, and that’s why I am so glad that Governor Whitmer is making the Great Start Readiness Program available to more of Michigan's kids. Her plan cuts down the financial and logistical barriers that currently stand between families and preschool, ensuring that more children start their education on the right foot."