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15 best states for preschool
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The National Institute for Early Education Research released a report this week called The State of Preschool, which broke down how much financial support and access each state has for preschool education. - photo by Herb Scribner
Preschool education might not be for everyone.

Our own Eric Schulzke reported on the national debate over universal pre-K education for children in November of last year.

Some, like President Barack Obama, have openly endorsed universal pre-K because it helps set children on a path toward life and career success, Shulzke reported.

Research shows that one of the best investments we can make in a childs life is high-quality early education, Obama said in a State of the Union address last year.

But others have spoken out against it. Schulzkes article pointed to David Armor, a professor of public policy at George Mason University, who said that preschool education can be too costly.

The difference in opinion over pre-K education can be seen across different states, too. Some states fund more preschool programs than others, while other states dont fund preschool education at all.

The National Institute for Early Education Research released a report this week called The State of Preschool, which broke down how much financial support and access each state has for preschool education.

The report also looked at how many 3- and 4-year-old children are enrolled in pre-kindergarten in the state and how much access these children have to preschool education.

Heres a look at the states and locations that have the best access for preschool education.

1. District of Columbia

The report said that 82.9 percent of 3- and 4-year-olds in the nation's capital are enrolled in pre-K education.

2. Vermont

Vermont is full of trees and maple syrup, but its also where children like to attend preschool. The report says that 58.7 percent of Vermonts youngsters enroll in pre-K education.

3. Florida

Florida isnt just home to retirees. The report says that 39.7 percent of 3- and 4-year-olds in the state enroll in pre-K education. Florida doesnt have any program for just 3-year-olds.

4. Oklahoma

The report says that 38.2 percent of Oklahomas youngsters enroll in pre-K education. Like Florida, the state doesnt have pre-K education for just 3-year-olds.

5. West Virginia

The preschool report says 40.3 percent of West Virginias 3- and 4-year-olds attend pre-K education. The state also has a significantly high amount of 5-year-olds who attend, according to the report.

6. Wisconsin

Those cheeseheads are getting their education in early, as 33.6 percent of the states 3- and 4-year-olds attend preschool.

7. Georgia

Georgias where the peaches grow, and where youngsters attend preschool, too. The report said 30.1 percent of the states 3- and 4-year-olds attend pre-K schools.

8. Iowa

Iowas parents embrace pre-K education, with 31.9 percent of the states youngsters attending pre-K.

9. Texas

Everythings bigger in Texas, especially the amount of children attending pre-K. The report said that 28.9 percent of 3- and 4-year-olds attend preschool.

10. New York

Not many of New York Citys 3-year-olds attend preschool (0.1 percent, in fact), but the states overall number of enrolled 3- and 4-year-olds rests at 21.7 percent.

11. South Carolina

South Carolina isnt far behind New York, as 22.7 percent of 3- and 4-year-olds attend preschool in the Palmetto State.

12. Arkansas

Arkansas ranks 12th on the list, with the majority of its young students enrolling at 5 years old. The report said 25.3 percent of 3- and 4-year-olds attend preschool.

13. Maryland

Not far from D.C., which leads the list, Maryland has 20.2 percent of its kiddos attending preschool. Maryland doesnt have any preschool programs for 3-year-olds.

14. Maine

In Maine, 17.7 percent of 3- and 4-year-olds are enrolled in school. The state does not have a program just for 3-year-olds.

15. Louisiana

Like Maryland, Louisiana doesnt have any program for just 3-year-olds. But the state does boast high numbers for 4-year-olds, reaching a total of 15.9 percent for 3- and 4-year-olds.
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BI hosts LCSS Gala
LibertyCountySchools

Bradwell Institute’s Friends Helping Friends will host the 3rdAnnual Liberty County School System Special Needs Gala Saturday at 7p.m.

The dance portion of the gala is free and open to the public.

FHF was started three years ago by BI special needs teacher Charlie Moon. FHF is comprised of a large group of general education students that connect special needs students with their general education peers. They have raised $20,000 in the last 30 months, for events like this, a new sensory room, music therapy equipment, and many other fun events. 

“FHF does so much for the special needs students. It really brings them out in their social skills. They become so much more comfortable around us all,” FHF Junior Danielle Hennessee said. 

FHF Junior Jada Naftzinger said it’s a two-way street. “It not only helps them, but us as well. It brings us out of our own shells and comfort zones.” 

Moon added, “For us, the Gala is not our calling card. I’ve told the students from day one, unless they truly know these special needs students, we won’t do the Gala at all. We’ll throw a big pizza party instead. The point is, we want the kids to really focus on the one-on-one, in-class work, hanging out in the halls, really talking to them. That’s the only way this program truly reaches its potential. Our motto is, “Changing lives, one friend at a time.”

During a private dinner which precedes the public dance, district office personnel, representatives from Congressman Buddy Carter’s office, district SPED staff, BI Football players and FHF members, parents and the honored guests – 50 special needs students from around the district will be in attendance.

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