Toward Continued Growth of the School Readiness Initiative: Increasing Capacity and Quality

Despite a $3.3 million increase in School Readiness funding in FY 06 (compared to FY 05), and an increase in the overall number of spaces available across the state (from 7,324 in September 2004 to 7,378 in September 2005), the new investments in growth were not as gainful as had been anticipated. Districts that took advantage of one-time carryover-funds to increase capacity last year are finding that with these funds no longer available, and the added expense of mandated increased reimbursement rates, they will be able to serve fewer children this year than last year.