Fall River, New Bedford, Boston, Brockton, Springfield, others, receive $13 million to expand pre-K

BOSTON — On the heels of Governor Healey’s first State of the Commonwealth in which she emphasized her commitment to expanding access to early education and laid out her “Gateway to Pre-K” agenda, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that they have delivered $13.1 million to 21 school districts through the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative to support their efforts to expand access to high-quality preschool. Further, the Administration announced that applications are now open with $5 million in additional funding available for new districts to apply to implement CPPI, with a priority focus on Gateway Cities. Current grantees can also apply to expand the reach of their programs. The deadline to apply is February 16, 2024.

The $13.1 million in funding will support 2,456 slots for children across 164 classrooms. This funding, including the $5 million now available to apply, was included in Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2024 budget proposal to increase access to high quality preschool experiences and put the state on a path towards universal access to preschool. The proposal was supported by the Legislature and included in the final budget. This expansion of CPPI is being funded through revenue generated by the Fair Share Amendment.

“We delivered historic investments in early education and child care in our first budget, and I’m thrilled to see that funding at work, expanding access to high-quality preschool, lowering costs for families and building a strong economy and livable communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are using Fair Share revenue to bring universal access to preschool to more communities, strengthening our education system as the voters intended. We are grateful to the Legislature for making this funding available. Our new ‘Gateway to Pre-K’ agenda is going to build on these successes by expanding high-quality Pre-K access to even more communities, lowering costs for more families, and ensuring our hardworking providers have the support they need to deliver high-quality care.”

“As a former Mayor, I know how important access to high-quality preschool is for families and for closing the learning gap before kids enter kindergarten, particularly in our gateway cities,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “That’s why our first budget included a focus on setting us on the path toward universal access to pre-k, helping Massachusetts reach its potential by educating our littlest learners and investing in vibrant, healthy, livable communities. And that’s why last week we announced bold actions to take these efforts further – with the aim of delivering universal, high-quality preschool access for four-year-olds in all Gateway Cities by the end of 2026.”

Healey-Driscoll Administration stated that a main driver in the administration’s approach to expanding preschool access, CPPI establishes a district–wide preschool program across classes in public and community-based early education and care programs. This approach promotes kindergarten readiness across the community, regardless of where a child is enrolled in pre-k. By working across the state’s mixed early education system, districts are expanding access to a range of programs that meet different needs, including those of working families, and reduce unnecessary transitions for children. CPPI also promotes equitable access to special education to ensure full inclusion of children with disabilities across all settings. Through this program, the CPPI funding also provides scholarships to participating families to enroll at no or low cost and enables full day/full year services through the mix of public and community classrooms.

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to expanding access to preschool. With $13 million out the door to districts, and $5 million available now, we’re making the necessary investments to expand capacity in the system,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. “This is not just an investment in our children and families, early childhood educators, and local communities—it’s a downpayment on the future success of our state.”

“The Administration is committed to supporting an accessible, affordable, and equitable early education and care system that helps families work and prepares their children for school and life success. We are focused on expanding access to low or no cost preschool to provide all children across the Commonwealth with the high-quality early education experiences we know give them the academic and social-emotional skills they need to enter kindergarten,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw.

“Expanded access to high-quality preschool will mean more students are showing up to kindergarten ready to learn,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley. “I’m glad to see this cross-sector collaboration for the benefit of students and families.”

“Access to high-quality, affordable early education enhances the cognitive and social-emotional development of young children, enables parents to work and improves families’ economic well-being, and helps employers that are struggling with workforce shortages,” said State Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “I’m thrilled that revenue from the Fair Share Amendment is being used to provide an additional $5 million to support access to high-quality preK for 3 and 4 year olds. I have seen firsthand in Malden how impactful the CPPI program has been for children and families.”

The $13 million in grant awards is funded through the state’s fiscal year 2024 budget. FY24 CPPI Implementation Awardees:

Boston Public Schools

Boston

$670,000

Holyoke Public Schools

Holyoke

$428,000

Lawrence Public Schools

Lawrence

$310,000

Lowell Public Schools

Lowell

$964,000

New Bedford Public Schools

New Bedford

$670,000

North Adams Public Schools

North Adams

$316,000

Northampton Public Schools

Northampton

$670,000

Somerville Public Schools

Somerville

$897,000

Springfield Public Schools

Springfield

$406,000

Brockton Public Schools

Brockton

$750,000

Fall River Public Schools

Fall River

$494,000

Framingham Public Schools

Framingham

$750,000

Lynn Public Schools

Lynn

$538,000

Malden Public Schools

Malden

$750,000

Salem Public Schools

Salem

$750,000

Sandwich Public Schools

Sandwich

$750,000

Gloucester Public Schools

Gloucester

$330,000

Haverhill Public Schools

Haverhill

$750,000

Hoosac Valley Regional School District

Adams and Cheshire

$672,000

Plymouth Public Schools

Plymouth

$494,000

Westfield Public Schools

Westfield

$750,000