Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pre K Grants topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Early education grants and 0.5 FTE expansion: department outlines grant model and constraints
Summary
DEED described two funding paths for high-quality prekindergarten: short-term pre-elementary grants and the recurring 0.5 (potentially 1.0) FTE allocation; officials said 21 districts receive pre-elementary grants and noted regulatory barriers and the need for more funding to expand offerings.
Department officials told the joint committees that Alaska’s approach to expanding high-quality prekindergarten uses two funding mechanisms: pre-elementary grants (PEG) for districts to build capacity and, after meeting quality benchmarks, a recurring 0.5 average daily membership (ADM) allocation (with proposed legislation to allow 1.0 ADM for qualifying programs).
The department said FY2024 pre-elementary grant funds totaled roughly $3,000,000 and that 21 districts currently receive PEG awards. Officials explained PEG awards support districts for a multi-year period and were designed to help districts meet criteria required to apply for the recurring 0.5 ADM funding. The department said eligibility and accountability requirements are detailed and that regulations are being updated to reduce barriers districts reported during implementation.
Representative Story and other committee members said some districts that previously operated successful preschools did not appear to move into recurring ADM funding and expressed concern about districts that could not maintain or expand programs without additional dollars. Commissioner Bishop said the department’s goal is to transition districts from PEG to the 0.5 ADM once they demonstrate high-quality programming and that the department will provide support to increase participation and update guidance where regulations presented barriers.
Officials emphasized the program is intended to scale over time and said the legislature could consider additional funding to accelerate expansion.
