Iowa Governor Unveils New Preschool Plan

Nina Earnest:

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad unveiled on Tuesday his new preschool program designed to award scholarships to low-income families, setting aside $43.6 million in state appropriations.

"By providing all Iowa children the opportunity to attend preschool, we will reduce the need for special-education services and for children to repeat grades," Branstad said in a press release.

The Iowa Preschool Scholarship eliminates universal preschool for 4-year-olds, but it aims to provide $3,000 scholarships to eligible 4-year-olds who attend at least 10 hours of preschool a week beginning in the 2011-12 school year.

Under the annual scholarship, families pay costs on a sliding scale depending on federal poverty guidelines up to 300 percent poverty. The plan means higher income families to pay full tuition.

Related: Madison's planned 4K program.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at February 17, 2011 1:34 AM
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