Schools
Boston To Have Universal Pre-K: Mayor Walsh
Mayor Marty Walsh announced a $15M investment to expand access to free pre-kindergarten classroom seats for all 4-year-olds in Boston.
BOSTON — Mayor Marty Walsh announced the city is investing $15 million into a plan that will provide universal pre-kindergarten education for all 4-year-olds in the city.
"We need to make sure that Boston is a place where every child can succeed," he told reporters Thursday during his announcement.
He said the plan should be rolled out during the next five years, but leaders will work to roll it out sooner if possible.
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Walsh made the announcement amid parents, teachers, students, elected officials, partner organizations and education advocates at the ABCD Walnut Grove Head Start.
“Pre-kindergarten programs ensure that all students start kindergarten ready to learn,” said Walsh in 2014 when he formed an advisory committee to recommend a city-wide strategic framework and action plan to double the enrollment by 2018. “Rather than spend time on remediation in education, we are investing in our youngest students to lay the groundwork for their long-term success and the long-term prosperity of Boston.”
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Today, I announced a $15 mil investment to expand access to free, high-quality pre-kindergarten classroom seats for all 4-year-olds in Boston. Boston’s Quality Pre-K Fund will support the creation of 750 high-quality seats in our nationally recognized pre-K programs. #UPKBoston pic.twitter.com/ouo2fEmSK6
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) April 2, 2019
This $15 million dollar investment will go a long way to helping our most vulnerable residents- children. The science is there, the earlier a child receives an education, the more successful they are likely to be. https://t.co/1AIpMRjsF5
— Neighborhood Services (@COB_ONS) April 2, 2019
The population of 4-year-olds is projected to grow to as many as 8,000 by 2030, according to city data. In 2014 approximately one-third of all 4-year-olds (2,200) were in the Boston Public School Pre-Kindergarten program that year, while others attended community-based private programs. An estimated 25 percent of all Boston 4-year-olds did not attend a pre-kindergarten program. At that time the city expanded seats to 100 more pre-K, this budget change will add some 750 seats.
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