One of the nice parts of HISD’s new budget is the expanded pre-K program. We were happy to see local media cover it last week:
For the first time, HISD says it will be able to place all eligible 4-year-olds in pre-kindergarten.
It’s a nearly $2 million move by the district, but the price of the pre-k expansion could be priceless to the students it will serve.
[snip]
Starting this year, HISD says all eligible pre-k children will be served, free of charge. That’s different than in past years, when HISD had to turn away thousands of children.
“The early childhood program really creates the educational foundation for young people. It is crucial that we start as early as possible,” says Dr. Abe Saavedra. “HISD has four pre-k centers. Two new ones will be opening next month.”
HISD says the new schools will add more than 1,100 pre-k slots.
All told, an estimated 15,500 children will be in HISD pre-k, up 11,000 from the last school year.
