State Development Updates:
February 20, 2003

State News:

As states deal with their deficits, they have already begun making cuts to state funding of early childhood education programs. In an informal survey, here is what we learned about cuts that have already been implemented:

• a few states reported cuts to Infant/toddler programs and/or state-funds for Early Head Start.

• several states reported cuts in professional development programs - either training specifically or scholarships.

• states that reported cuts to tiered reimbursement programs said that the programs would not be eliminated, just the incentives and supports would be cut.

• the child care administrators said that most cuts were seen in the subsidy program and that waiting lists were either started or growing. A few commented on how this would have an impact on quality.

For example: In the District of Columbia, all quality initiatives and training programs were reduced by 20%. Infant/Toddler Start up and expansion funding went from $1.7 million to $400,000. No new providers can reach the middle tier (Silver) in the tiered reimbursement system. Grants for materials and conferences have been eliminated. Some programs will have to cut salaries to handle the waiting list for services.

In Kansas, quality initiatives were cut by $1.4 million in FY 03 and there could be more cuts this coming fiscal year. Grants to FCC providers dropped from $500K to $100K. Infant/toddler Project reduced funding means less training on I/T issues for child care providers. Professional development initiatives and apprenticeship funding was reduced and Kansas Early Head Start has been cut by $300K. Grants for quality improvement and accreditation fees have been eliminated.

Oklahoma: Quality improvement grants and training vouchers have been eliminated. First Start program (similar to Early Head Start) eliminated. Funding for TEACH and REWARD education/compensation programs have been reduced.

Cuts in state-funded pre-K: Five states have made cuts to their preK programs (CT, MA, MI, SC, TN)

Access to higher education: Four states have cut budgets for state colleges and universities (DE, MI, TN, WV)

Other programs cut already: Connecticut: Family Resource Centers; school-age programs; home visiting programs; Indiana: Full-day kindergarten; South Carolina: parenting and family literacy programs.

In contrast, here are highlights from 38 governors' state of the state addresses on what they would like to accomplish in education:

Early education programs (preschool and kindergarten): Governors from 10 states proposed further spending and commitment to early education, recognizing that it plays a significant role in children's later school success. Specific proposals from the governors include: expanding preschool programs, and/or create full-day kindergarten (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma); creating large-scale early childhood initiatives; Iowa (90% of children have access to quality preschools); Michigan (Project Great Start - education for children birth-5, parent education, commitment to reading to children, coordination of state children's departments); Mississippi (Summer Start - kindergarten for at-risk children starts two months prior to the school year); protecting early childhood education from cuts (Nebraska); making early childhood education a priority area for spending (South Carolina); creating a seamless education system from preschool to college (Washington)

Promised no cuts in education spending: Ten governors promised to protect education from budget cuts (Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia). Three of these (Oklahoma, Virginia, Washington) put increases for education funding into their budgets. Georgia and Nebraska's governors specifically mentioned protecting early childhood education programs from cuts.

Need to increase funds/commitment to fully fund education: Governors from 11 states recognized that spending in education need to be increased (Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota). Three governors offered concrete suggestions for raising funds: levying new taxes (Idaho, Missouri) or creating a lottery with funds going to early childhood education (Oklahoma)

Restructuring education system: Governors from 14 states want to restructure the education systems in their states (Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington). Specific suggestions included: restructuring the state department of education (Georgia, Minnesota, South Dakota), reviewing education policies (Maryland, Montana), and giving more control to local districts (Hawaii, New York).

Restructure school finance system: Six governors want to restructure their school finance systems, so that funds are used effectively and local school districts have more control (New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, Washington, West Virginia).

Access to higher education: Most of the Governors commented that higher education is key to economic growth and want more of their citizen to be college-educated. Governors from seven states proposed better access to higher education through increased funding for scholarships and other financial aid (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Rhode Island, South Dakota)

Incentives to attract and retain teachers: Several governors recognized that teachers need more support and rewards for their work. Governors from five states want to raise public school teacher salaries (Arkansas, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota). Four governors want to improve teacher preparation (Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island). Five governors want to put incentives in place to attract teachers and raise teacher quality: Montana-loan forgiveness; Nevada-signing bonuses; Ohio; Oklahoma-tax reduction for teachers who purchase supplies; and South Carolina.

Improve accountability systems/standards: Governors from six states propose to improve their accountability systems and/or raise academic standards (Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Minnesota, , New Mexico, South Dakota).

Other themes: A few governors talked about other children's issues in their addresses: child abuse (Colorado, Indiana), protecting children in foster care (Missouri, Montana), and installing alert systems when children are abducted (Indiana, North Dakota).