FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from AFT Michigan
June 8, 2021
Contact: David Hecker, 313-204-6115, dhecker@aftmichigan.org
Whitmer Continues to Lead the Way in Public Education Policy
Educators applaud the governor’s proposed investment in early childhood education
MICHIGAN – On Tuesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced her plan for a historic investment in early childhood education. Drawing initially from American Rescue Plan funding and eventually transitioning to using School Aid Funding, the governor’s plan would expand Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) so that every eligible child can be served and provide preschools with additional funding to ensure they can meet their communities’ needs.
“Once again, Gov. Whitmer is leading the way in public education policy and doing everything she can to ensure a better future for Michigan kids,” said David Hecker, president of AFT Michigan. “The GSRP is an incredibly important program that, unfortunately, does not have enough funding to serve every child who should be eligible. Gov. Whitmer’s plan would rectify that funding gap and help prepare preschools across the state to expand their staffs and classrooms in order to serve more students. We hope the legislature will earnestly consider these proposals and work with the governor to improve our state’s approach to early childhood education.”
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