December 11, 2013
Pre-kindergarten for every child in Montana would make a difference for thousands of children while saving the state money, according to a new report by the Montana Budget and Policy Center, a non-partisan policy research institute, released today.
Montana is one of only ten states that does not offer any form of state-funded pre-k. Currently, one in five Montana children live in poverty and three-fifths of Montana preschool aged children do not attend pre-k. Universal pre-k is a proven and cost-effective way to make sure children don’t fall behind their peers and require more expensive assistance later in life.
Jackie Semmens, a policy analyst at Montana Budget and Policy Center, said “Montana’s children are a smart investment. State funded pre-k would not only improve the lives of children, but help to build a thriving state. Pre-k could save Montana millions. Montana should forge ahead with this critical investment in our children.”
Read the full press release here.
MBPC is a nonprofit organization focused on providing credible and timely research and analysis on budget, tax, and economic issues that impact low- and moderate-income Montana families.