18 More Ledyard Students Get A Head Start In Education

Eighteen more pre-school aged students in Ledyard will have the benefit of early childhood education after Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Tuesday that 1,000 new school readiness slots have been identified and awarded to providers throughout the state.

The slots were divvied up among several school districts and Ledyard was granted 18 slots based on need. The spots  increase access to high-quality preschool for children ages three and four.

“Our regular preschool program would be doubled,” said Superintendent of Schools Michael Graner. “That would be excellent.”

“Ledyard has been awarded an additional 18 school readiness slots,” said Phil Genova, who is the head of Ledyard School’s special education program. “The 18 slots must be filled and ready to go by the end of September.”

Gov. Malloy said, “early education provides the foundation for the future success of our children, and by focusing the new slots in high-needs areas, we are affirming our commitment to turning around struggling school districts. 

Malloy said the initiative is meant to close the nation’s largest achievement gap.

State Department of Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor said, “in order to prevent performance gaps and increase academic success, it’s important for us to invest in high-quality early childhood education.”

Graner said that there are two preschool programs at the Gallup Hill School already and that the additional program will probably be located at the Gales Ferry School.