A big newspaper in Indiana has examined the impact of the state’s early-childhood education policies, which experts say are causing children to be behind when they start 1st grade.
Indiana is one of only eight states that do not fund preschool programs, and it doesn’t require children to start school until they reach the age of 7, The Indianapolis Star Tribune article says.
“Indiana fails to give children what experts in early-childhood development consider the crucial foundation for a strong education,” the recent article says.
Only 20 percent of preschool-aged children in Indiana are enrolled in public pre-kindergarten programs, it says.
The article quotes state officials citing the cost and current challenging economic situation, but points out that the state did not fund prekindergarten several years ago when it had a budget surplus.
