Texas loses out on $120 million in federal grant funds to expand pre-K
In a setback for those hoping Texas will expand pre-kindergarten access, the federal government on Wednesday announced the Lone Star State did not qualify for up to $120 million to do just that.
Texas was among 36 states to apply for four years worth of federal pre-K grant funding. The U.S. Department of Education announced Wednesday it would award funds to 18 states, not including Texas, which applied to receive up to $30 million annually. The states that did get grants, including neighboring Arkansas, will receive more than $226 million during the first year of the program.
Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams described the decision as “disappointing” in a statement.
“Our application to the U.S. Department of Education reflected a belief that Texas could build upon an established foundation of high quality pre-k programs by expanding, enhancing and providing greater parental choice,” Williams said, referencing a voucher component to the state’s application. “High-need communities in 15 counties were identified that would have been eligible to participate in the grant over the course of four years. The federal government’s decision, while disappointing, does not take away from our state’s belief in the value of high quality prekindergarten programs.”
Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional/texas-loses-out-on-30-million-federal-grant-to-exp/njPzJ/
[font color=green]Abbott’s office declined to comment.[/font]
