A progress report released by Mayor Bill de Blasio Tuesday shows the city has the capacity to implement his plan for universal pre-kindergarten starting this September—if the funding is available.
The report, “Ready to Launch,” found that though classroom space and quality programming is obtainable, securing funding for the plan remains the main challenge.
“This is real, this is achievable, but this something we can’t do without sustained dedicated resources,” de Blasio said.
In January, the mayor released his plan to provide free full-day pre-kindergarten for every 4-year-old in the city by increasing taxes on the wealthy.
The mayor would need permission from Albany for the increase, and could face roadblocks from state lawmakers.
At an average cost of $10,239 per child, 73,250 children would be eligible for full-day pre-kindergarten by the 2015-16 school year, beginning with 53,604 in September 2014.
The city needs 21,000 seats to meet its goal for this fall, according to the mayor. Since it began asking for proposals and applications from schools and community-based organizations, the Department of Education has received proposals for 29,000 seats.
The proposals also offer detailed plans on curriculum and how the schools and organizations will identify, train and support teaching staff.
“We already know demand from families for high quality, full-day pre-K is exceptionally high – and these numbers confirm that we are ready to deliver,” Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña said.
“The number of sites and seats proposed far exceeds numbers from last year,” with a 93 percent jump in the number of full-day sites proposed compared to last year’s results, according to the report.
In Queens, 113 sites were proposed in 2013. This year, there were 214.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
- Queens lawmaker wants fire hydrants tagged with markers
- Forest Hills restaurant files claim demanding city pay for damage done by snow plow
- Survey: Queens small businesses expect revenue increase, slow job growth
