Bill Would Expand Access to All Eligible Kids
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed Assembly Bill (AB) 47, the Preschool for Act (Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento) on a 5 to 2 vote. This measure establishes a framework to provide all eligible low income 4-year olds with access to the state preschool program contingent upon funding in the Budget Act.
“Preschool prepares children for the next step, ensuring that children are ready to start school and be successful,” 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 quality preschool.”
“With today’s vote, the promise of preschool for California’s young learners is one step closer to being kept,” said Deborah Kong, president of Early Edge California. “Not only is passing AB 47 the right thing to do for our kids, it will help our schools tackle the achievement gap before it starts, ensure working families have what they need to participate in our recovering economy, and strengthen our future workforce. This is a win-win-win.”
In this year’s budget, the importance of quality early childhood was prioritized in the budget, including 9,500 new preschool slots. Unfortunately despite this increase, an estimated 25,000 four-year-olds do not have access to Transitional Kindergarten, Head Start, or State Preschool. This measure furthers 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 Floor for consideration.
CONTACT: Bryan C. Singh, (916) 319-2007