Tag: Universal Preschool
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Costs explode for Colorado program covering pregnant women and children living in the U.S. illegally
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A state program providing health care to pregnant women and children living in the country illegally is costing far more than lawmakers expected, with expenses nearly tripling in just a year and threatening to squeeze Colorado’s budget amid a nearly $1 billion shortfall. The program, launched in 2024, now enrolls more than 30,000 people and…
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Colorado sees record early applications for universal preschool
Early preschool applications for the upcoming school year are breaking records for a program with 42,862 4-year-olds enrolled statewide. As of Monday, the program had received 12,886 applications. “Investing in high-quality early education is one of the most effective ways we can support children, families and the long-term strength of our state,” Lisa Roy, executive director…
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Colorado’s universal preschool enrollment begins for upcoming school year
Enrollment is now open for Colorado’s universal preschool program, which provides up to 15 hours of free education for four-year-old children across the state. The $344 million program has served nearly 90,000 children since its creation in 2023, the Governor’s Office said. “Families across the state are saving more than $6,300 per year on free…
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Federal judge begins trial on Catholic schools’ claims against Colorado preschool program
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Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save A federal judge heard arguments and testimony beginning on Tuesday over whether Colorado’s new universal pre-kindergarten program unconstitutionally forces a pair of Catholic preschools to violate their religious beliefs about sexual orientation and gender identity in order to participate as providers. In August, the Archdiocese…
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Universal preschool in Colorado: 4 tips for navigating the application process
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save In its first month, Colorado’s universal preschool program has already matched more than 40,000 children to a preschool provider, representing 64% of all eligible 4-year-olds in the state and marking a 43% increase in preschool enrollment over last year, according to Gov. Jared Polis. That’s…
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Marshmallows vs. chocolate: Kids tackle first day of school amid Colorado’s universal preschool launch
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Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save “Would you rather eat only chocolate or only marshmallows?” teacher Jordan Parsons asked the gaggle of preschoolers sitting on the rug in front of her. Most of the 13 kids bounded to the left side of the rug, several gleefully jumping and shrieking at the…
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Hundreds of child care providers sign up for Colorado’s universal preschool program
Registration for child care providers to participate in Colorado’s new universal preschool program is now open, with state officials reporting that more than 250 providers have signed up already. Around one week after the registration portal went live, there are more than 12,000 openings available for kids to receive state-funded preschool through the providers that…
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Dawn Odean tapped to lead Colorado’s universal preschool program
Dawn Odean of Jefferson County Public Schools has been appointed to lead Colorado’s new universal preschool program rolling out next year, the state announced Friday. Odean will serve as director of the universal preschool program beginning on Aug. 15, responsible for the implementation and coordination of the program under the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.…
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Gov. Jared Polis signs bill for free universal preschool
By the fall of 2023, all 4-year-old children in Colorado will be able to attend preschool for free, thanks to new legislation signed into law on Monday. House Bill 1295 will establish a long-promised universal preschool program and a new Department of Early Childhood. Under the bill, the program will begin in 2023, providing 10…
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Colorado legislature OKs free universal preschool, new Department of Early Childhood
Free universal preschool is all but assured in Colorado after the legislature passed House Bill 1295 on Thursday, preparing to send it to Gov. Jared Polis for final approval. If signed into law, the bill would establish the long-promised universal preschool program and a new Department of Early Childhood. Under the bill, the program would…