More pre-k classrooms coming to high poverty counties in Alabama
FAYETTE, Ala (WBMA) — Under an executive order from Governor Kay Ivey, more Pre-K classrooms will be added in the state. The focus is to bring the additional classrooms to counties where more than 20 percent of the population falls below federal poverty guidelines.
At Fayette Elementary School, there are only two Pre-K classes. Each holds 18 students. There's already a waiting list for the upcoming school year with more than three dozen names on it.
This week students in Courtney Davis' pre-k class are learning about math and dinosaurs.
Davis says Pre-K gives students a head start.
"Pre-K is a hands on program and they're just able to experience things that you wouldn't be able to experience at home," Davis said.
While these students made the cut. There are several who don't and sit on a waiting list.
For the 2023-24 school year, 36 students have already been selected for pre-k.
"Students that are zoned for Fayette elementary, we will draw those first. When all those names are drawn we'll go to pot B which is Fayette county, we'll draw all those, then its out of county," Fayette Elementary principal, Matthew Lindsey said.
Lindsey said 41 are on a waiting list. Parents are anxious.
"If there's a waiting list, 'when will we know if were chosen?' It's daily calls about pre-k almost all year round," he said.
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Under the executive order from Ivey, the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) must add new pre-k classrooms in counties where more than 20 percent of the population falls below the federal poverty guidelines. Fayette County is one of those.
An ADECE spokesperson said they're targeting eight counties total. To reach full access, they'll need to add 37 new pre-k classrooms. Most counties needing at least two and some even more.
The plan is to add the new pre-k classrooms in phases. Some happening this fall with others waiting until next year.
Of the three additional classrooms needed in Fayette County, Fayette Elementary School is set to get at least one of those. A move Davis said she's looking forward to.
"I think it's going to be great," she said, "I think that the more the better."
Lindsey said once he gets final approval to add the additional classroom this fall, they'll call 18 more parents on that waiting list.
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