North Carolina was one of nine states to split $500 million in federal funds for preschool programs. Thirty-five states applied for Race to the Top funding.
It has states competing for federal dollars to create programs intended to make schools more effective in exchange for education initiatives it favors.
To win, states were asked to demonstrate a commitment to making such programs more accessible, coordinated and more effective. Providing professional development for teachers and creating ways to assess the education level of kids entering kindergarten were among the areas states were asked to focus on in their applications.
According to the Hendersonville Times-News, children who attend preschool do better in school, spend less time in prison, and have higher earnings potential than those who don’t.
