BALTIMORE \u2013 The Maryland State Department of Education\u2019s Division of Early Childhood has awarded 53 grants to serve four-year-olds in high-quality prekindergarten classrooms in Maryland.<\/p>\n
Each of the State’s 19 school systems that applied have been funded for one or more additional PreK classrooms. In addition, community-based and Head Start programs in 12 jurisdictions have been funded. The approximately $26 million in grant awards will provide four-year-old children from low-income families access to full-day prekindergarten in school year 2018-2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cEarly learning programs are critically important to the development of our youth, and provide a foundation of educational support for children from economically disadvantaged households,\u201d said Governor Larry Hogan. \u201cThese grants are a much-needed investment that will directly impact the next generation of Marylanders.\u201d<\/p>\n
Systems receiving funds are:<\/p>\n
Allegany County – $73,440
\nBaltimore City – $1,175,040
\nBaltimore County – $660,960
\nCarroll County – $146,880
\nCaroline County – $1,332,936
\nCharles County – $119,880
\nDorchester – $844,560
\nFrederick County – $293,760
\nGarrett County – $146,880
\nHarford County – $859,248
\nHoward County – $514,080
\nMontgomery County – $1,175,040
\nPrince Georges County – $1,957,176
\nQueen Anne’s County – $440,640
\nSomerset County – $220,320
\nSt. Mary’s County – $293,760
\nTalbot County – $271,728
\nWashington County – $1,248,480
\nWicomico County – $1,674,747<\/p>\n
For the past three years these funds have allowed school systems and early childhood programs to increase the length of the day from a half day to a full day, fund highly qualified and certified Early Childhood teachers in each classroom, and serve more vulnerable children who otherwise would not have access to the early education they need for success in school. Maryland\u2019s statewide plan expands high-quality prekindergarten, provides intensive technical assistance, and ensures comprehensive services are accessible in many high-need communities.<\/p>\n
These grants have been awarded since 2015 using funds provided to Maryland through the federal Preschool Development Grant \u2013 Expansion Grant program and matching state funds made possible through the passage of the Prekindergarten Expansion Act of 2014 (Senate Bill 332).<\/p>\n
A total of $88,216,000 will have been provided through this program over the four years of the grant.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"