Virginia has begun distributing the funds from a $17.5 million-dollar federal grant to expand and enhance the Commonwealth’s early childhood education efforts. Governor McAuliffe toured one of the schools that received money for its program and explained that the funds will be awarded to 11 high-need school divisions.
The Governor says the federal grant will bring additional children into the Virginia Preschool Initiative, which currently serves 18,000 at-risk four-year-olds.
The goal is to give more preschoolers a solid foundation for learning that improves their readiness for Kindergarten. The governor says Pre-K is an opportunity for 4-year-olds to get ahead regardless of their socioeconomic status.
The schools are also offering focused outreach to families and communities, as well as individualized support for children with unique learning needs. The participating school systems include Brunswick, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Giles, Henrico, Prince William, and Sussex Counties, as well as the cities of Norfolk, Petersburg, Richmond, and Winchester.