The Malloy administration announced Tuesday the school districts that will be getting state funding to open 1,000 new preschool seats -- with Bridgeport, Hartford, Danbury and Meriden adding the most.
Last school year, 6,400 students in Connecticut -- 16 percent -- showed up to kindergarten having spent no time in a preschool. Half were from the state's 19 poorest districts, reports the State Department of Education. Connecticut spent about $85 million for state-funded preschool programs in 2011, reaching 10 percent of 3- and 4-year-olds.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who spurred this drastic $6.8 million expansion for 1,000 new seats, has said he would like to see universal access to preschool to ensure that family income is not a barrier to preschool.
Here is a list of the 38 school districts that were awarded funding to expand enrollment in their high-quality preschool programs.
There are at least 101 slots for towns represented by Republican senators who not only voted AGAINST the creation of the new seats, but who also voted AGAINST funding those seats.
So, to the parents and children in Danbury, Greenwich, Torrington, Vernon and other towns -- you can thank a Democrat.
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In 'Connecticut's budget deficit, and why you should be worried,' Mirror budget reporter Keith Phaneuf explores in three parts how Gov. Dannel Malloy has grappled with state finances and a sluggish economy; the fiscal and political gambles that are contributing to a lingering deficit; and an ongoing effort to postpone resolution of this crisis until after the 2014 gubernatorial election.
Info-graphics by Michael S. Gambina
Part One: "Promises, gimmicks and a historic shortfall"
Part Two: "Major concessions deal undermined by bad guesses, secrecy
Part Three: Serious deficit awaits Malloy -- or his successor -- after 2014
Read how Gov. Malloy reacted to our series.
Listen to budget reporter Keith Phaneuf talk about the budget in this special podcast.
Since 1949, there have been 67. The Mirror's interactive map provides historical detail to the violence and is regularly updated to reflect the most recent mass shootings.
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