[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text single_style=””]January 17, 2024<\/p>\n
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <\/strong> \u201cWe applaud the steps taken in this budget to secure all-day kindergarten and shore up higher education, but the lack of investment in early childhood is of great concern,\u201d said Brigitte Blom, President\/CEO of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence. \u201cEven with the historical investment in CCAP of $52 million, we are far from our projected need of $251 million to ensure Kentucky’s youngest learners and their families have access to affordable, high-quality early care and learning programs.”[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”22969″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text single_style=””]Key Highlights and Concerns:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n 1.<\/strong>\u00a0Insufficient Progress in Early Childhood Education:<\/strong>\u00a0While HB 6 proposes as increase in the state’s contribution to the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) at $52 million, this is a fraction of the target set in the\u00a0Prichard Committee\u2019s Big Bold Ask<\/a>\u2014a six-year investment plan aimed at strengthening Kentucky’s investment in education. Additionally, state preschool funding sees no increase compared to FY 2020.<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong>\u00a0K-12 Education:<\/strong>\u00a0The bill fully funds all-day kindergarten and nearly covers school transportation costs. However, the investment in teaching excellence, while notable, falls short of the Big Bold Ask’s recommendations.<\/p>\n 3. Postsecondary Education Sees Notable Advances:<\/strong>\u00a0The budget makes significant strides in postsecondary education. HB 6 exceeds expectations for allocations to the College Access Program (CAP), a need-based financial aid program, and nearly meets the investment goals for public higher education institutions.<\/p>\n \u201cThe budget’s lack of progress in early childhood funding is a missed opportunity to lead transformative change for Kentucky\u2019s youngest learners and their families,\u201d Blom said. \u201cWe urge lawmakers to drive forward a comprehensive and integrated plan to address the early childhood crisis that will meet the growing needs of Kentucky\u2019s workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n One policy example of this is the mixed delivery model that integrates child care and preschool, strengthening the child care business model and providing more affordable, high-quality care for kids and working families.<\/p>\n
\nCourtney Daniel, Chief of Communications and External Affairs
courtney@prichardcommittee.org[\/vc_column_text][ultimate_heading main_heading=”The Prichard Committee Releases Analysis of Kentucky House Budget” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:30px;” sub_heading_font_size=”desktop:24px;” margin_design_tab_text=””]More Robust Investment Needed in Education<\/em>[\/ultimate_heading][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text single_style=””]LEXINGTON, Ky. \u2013 Analysis from the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence finds that the Kentucky\u00a0House budget\u00a0<\/a>released yesterday made strides in certain areas, but it does not achieve the significant advancements required in the early childhood sector<\/p>\n