March 28, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Courtney Daniel, Chief of Communications and External Affairs
courtney@prichardcommittee.org
Prichard Committee Releases Analysis of State Budget
The General Assembly meets 80% of Big Bold Ask; More work to do on early childhood education
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky State Budget approved by the General Assembly today includes key funding for full-day kindergarten and public colleges and universities but does not fully meet needed investments in the early childhood sector, according to an analysis by the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence.
"We are appreciative to the General Assembly for their support of full-day kindergarten, school transportation, and funding for postsecondary education at amounts that meet or exceed the Prichard Committee’s Big Bold Ask,” said Prichard Committee President/CEO Brigitte Blom. “We are also grateful for the hard work of the Free Conference Committee in increasing the commonwealth’s investment in early childhood education at this stage in the budget process. However, significantly more funding and policy innovation is needed to expand access to quality, affordable early childhood education, which is a critical missing piece to growing Kentucky’s economy both today and in the future. There is work left to do to ensure that every Kentucky child can receive a high-quality early education experience, and we look forward to continuing in partnership with the Legislature to make that a reality.”
Key Highlights:
- Early childhood: Preschool funding receives no additional funding. Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding, while seeing growth this legislative session, needs significant further investment to address Kentucky’s need for early childhood opportunities that prepare children to be successful in school and beyond.
- K-12 Education: All-day kindergarten is fully funded. School transportation funding meets levels from the Big Bold Ask; however, it is worth noting that transportation costs have increased significantly in the five years since the Big Bold Ask was written. Teaching quality efforts included funding for the Read to Succeed Initiative and for added stipends to teachers who earn National Board certification. There are no efforts in the budget to rebuild funding for professional development, a key part of the teacher quality portion of Big Bold Ask.
- Postsecondary funding: Public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System funding in the budget meets and exceeds the ask, as do College Assistance Program Grants.
- Click here for more analysis of the state budget.
###
The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence is an independent, nonpartisan, citizen-led organization working to improve education in Kentucky – early childhood through postsecondary.
