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Numbers show preschool expansion program is effective

U.S Embassy Manila, Phillipines
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flickr
Credit U.S Embassy Manila, Phillipines / flickr
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flickr

More than 21,000 4 year olds have been enrolled in free preschool in Michigan over the past two years, according to Ron French at Bridge Magazine. It's the result ofthe biggest pre-school expansion in the nation

In 2012, a Bridge investigation found that about 30,000 pre-school aged kids that qualified for free preschool were not attending due to lack of funding, logistical issues or lack of transportation services. 

In 2013, Michigan increased preschool funding for low to middle income families, called the Great Start Readiness Program. The program got more funding in 2014. 

Bridge did an analysis on the effects of the program and came up with these results:

Children using the Great Start Readiness Program | Create infographics

Percent Increase of GSRP Kids Over the Last Two Years | Create infographics

More than 50% of the parents are taking advantage of the full-day option for preschool, so that they can work all day while their children are being cared for for free. 

More important than the convenience is the additional learning taking place. Numberous studies show that low-income children and children of color are more likely to enter kindergarten academically behind their white, more affluent peers, a gap that often widens in later grades.

The data gathered is being hailed by those that lobbied for increased funding for the program as a huge success, and proof that better early education will have an overall positive effect on the state's economy. 

Read more about the program at Bridgemi.com

--Paige Pfleger, Michigan Radio Newsroom

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