Gov. Bob Riley announced July 7th that 27 classrooms around the state will now be sites for the First Class Pre-K program.
The nation's top-rated kindergarten program will now serve a total number of 3,808 children.
According to the press release, since the First Class initiative first started in November 2007, 68 percent more four-year-olds are being served by the program, and there are now 213 First Class classrooms in Alabama.
"Alabama is providing the nation's highest quality pre-K program to more students than ever before," Riley said in the press release. "That's going to make a huge difference in each child's ability to learn and the opportunities they'll have for the rest of their lives."
Riley said 15 of the classrooms will be receiving pre-K Excellence grants of $45,000 to fund the program and the additional 12 are receiving pre-K State Supported Slots of at least $45,000. The grants will also be used to maintain the high quality standards in First Class classrooms.
"When we invest in First Class, we're making an investment in the future of Alabama," Riley said in the press release. "Studies and research show that children who attend high quality pre-K do better not only through their years in school, they do better as adults throughout their life."
Dr. Marquita Davis, commissioner of Children's Affairs and a member of the governor's cabinet, has been appointed by Riley to be the director of the state's Office of School Readiness.
"We're excited to be expanding First Class so more of Alabama's children benefit from an effective, high quality early education experience that prepares them for school success and lifelong learning," Davis said in the press release.
The press release stated the new classrooms are divided among school types. Sixteen classrooms are in public schools, eight with private child care or faith-based organizations and three are current Head Start programs.
Sandra Little, a graduate teaching assistant and National Board Certified teacher, thinks the program is a step in the right direction.
"Pre-K gives many opportunities for peer interactions which are really important, and it gives them things like literacy exposure and oral language through stories and plays," Little said.
Nancy Morgan, an art teacher from Lee Scott Academy, is split on sending children to school at an early age.
"The kids learn a lot of socializing skills, but I think it should be more play and not so structured," Morgan said. "I've always believed kids need to play, and I think it does in a way stifle some of their creative side."
Morgan said Lee Scott has a pre-K program where children are introduced to concepts like letters and colors.
Allison Sanders, a recent graduate in early childhood education, said she is a strong believer in the program.
"I'm a huge supporter of the pre-K program because it gets the kids learning to read earlier and able to comprehend more of what is around them," Sanders said. "One of the things children learn in kindergarten is how to read, and when the children have already learned how to do it, it gives them sort of a jump start so they won't fall behind."
Sanders said the program also helps with social skills.
"Social skills help children to start working with others in groups and when they get to kindergarten, they aren't thinking they can just do whatever they want," Sanders said. "It's a good social environment as well as a place to gain learning skills."
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