Bill Would Expand Access to All Eligible Kids
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today, the Assembly passed Assembly Bill (AB) 47, the Preschool for Act (Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento) on a bi-partisan vote. This measure requires the state to provide funding for all children who are eligible for the state preschool program, and whose parents wish to enroll them, with the opportunity to enroll in the program.
“We can’t afford to not cover all children, regardless of their economic status for preschool,” said Assemblymember McCarty. “AB 47 bill will ensure that we keep the promise made to our preschoolers last year and provide each of our low-income children access to preschool. We owe it to our children and we owe it to the families across California, to ensure that children are ready to start school and be successful.”
“We are thrilled to see the California State Assembly support AB 47. Early Edge California is proud to sponsor the Preschool for All Act of 2015. This critical bill will ensure California keeps its promise to preschoolers and gets us closer to preparing all children for success in school,” said Deborah Kong, president of Early Edge California. “With state revenues continuing to strengthen, we must seize this critical opportunity to make the wise investment in our future.”
As part of the 2014-2015 State Budget, only children in families who made less than twice the federal poverty level were provided preschool. This measure fulfills last year’s commitment from the Governor and Legislature to expand the state preschool program for all low income families who do not have access to one year of state preschool or transitional kindergarten. AB 47 now heads to the Senate for consideration.