A new study released this week shows Alabama’s First Class Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program continues to lead the nation in quality. Alabama is one of only four states in the country to meet all 10 quality benchmarks established by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER).

The quality benchmarks include teacher training, staff-child ratios, support services and more. Alabama’s voluntary pre-k program has now met all of NIEER’s quality benchmarks for seven years in a row.

“Alabama’s voluntary pre-k program is unique to our state, and I’m proud that, once again, our program is second-to-none for quality,” Governor Bentley said in a statement.

Due to limited capacity, only six percent of Alabama’s four-year-olds are currently enrolled in the First Class voluntary pre-k program. Governor Bentley said he believes it is important to expand the program so that more children can participate. “This illustrates why we need to make sure this voluntary program is available to more children and their families,” Bentley said. “Expanding access to voluntary pre-kindergarten is a wise investment that will benefit children across the state.”

In an effort to make the program available to more children, the Governor recommended an additional $12.5 million in pre-k funding in his Education Trust Fund proposal. The House version of the ETF budget also calls for the $12.5 million increase, but the latest Senate version only bumps it up $6 million. The Senate will be taking up the budget this week.

Alabama’s voluntary pre-k program is managed by the Alabama Office of School Readiness.

Jeana Ross, the Governor’s Commissioner of the Department of Children’s Affairs, said the success of Alabama’s voluntary program reflects the efforts of dedicated professionals throughout the state.

“Our pre-k classrooms are led by educators who are committed to providing the highest-quality experiences for young children,” Ross said. “Our national recognition reflects the high quality of Alabama’s voluntary pre-k program.”

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