NY: State struggles to provide universal pre-k education

A promise of pre-K for all is still far off in New York

New York Times  August 22, 2008

Ten years ago, pre-K was promised to every 4-year-old by 2002.  Ten years later, more than a third of the districts in the state have no pre-K program, with districts passing up more than $67.5 million dollars that the state set aside for pre-k education.  Small districts and crowded districts have refused money for pre-K programs arguing that the money provided by the state will not cover the costs of providing pre-K.  Crowded districts have to contract with off-site providers which increases administrative costs.  Smaller and more affluent districts find that there are not enough students to make operating a pre-K program efficient.  The implementation of universal pre-K in New York was also slowed by budget problems following 9-11.