Dive Brief:
- Montana has applied for $40 million from a federal grant program that aims to bring pre-K opportunities to 16 states.
- Sixteen states were eligible to apply for the pre-K expansion grant, which divvies up $250 million.
- Currently, the state allocates no state dollars towards preschool.
Dive Insight:
While Montana was unsuccessful last year in its application for a similar grant, the state appears to be optimistic this time around. Gov. Steve Bullock told the Associated Press that the grant is an amazing opportunity and that he has earmarked $37 million for pre-K in the 2014-15 school year. The eligible communities also include eight Indian reservations.
Pre-K expansion has been something of a buzz topic this year, with Hillary Clinton, Rahm Emanuel, and Barack Obama all touting its benefits. According to NPR, 30 states have plans to expand their pre-K programs in the coming years.