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Gov. Beshear proposes state pre-K funding for every 4-year-old

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Posted at 8:04 AM, Jan 11, 2022
and last updated 2022-01-11 08:04:41-05

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Andy Beshear has proposed a massive budget increase for Kentucky education.

He released a plan Monday calling for the state to fully fund preschool programs for every 4-year-old.

Beshear says his budget plan includes nearly $2 billion in additional funding in the next two years for pre-K through 12th grade.

The Democratic governor revealed his education spending plans days after House Republicans introduced their own state spending bill.

Beshear says his plan includes a 12.5% increase in per-pupil funding under the state’s main K-12 funding formula. A cornerstone of his plan is to guarantee pre-K learning for every 4-year-old.