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Pre-K Initiative
Updated Jun 06 2023
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Summary
During the 2019-2020 school year, Elevate Tuscaloosa provided funding to Tuscaloosa City Schools (TCS) for three additional Pre-K classrooms. This funding allowed an additional 54 kids to be placed in pre-k and six teachers to be hired by TCS. The Elevate plan anticipates that funding for this program will be maintained or increased each year in the future.
The Pre-K program administered by the Tuscaloosa City Schools (TCS) allows children to receive a year of schooling before starting kindergarten. Studies have shown that effective pre-k programs have positive impacts on children’s reading and math performance in kindergarten, when compared with children who do not participate in pre-k. Furthermore, pre-k programs are likely to generate larger benefits for economically disadvantaged children than for their more advantaged peers. According to 2018 research from the University of Alabama, 80 percent of the academically at-risk students who participated in pre-k in Tuscaloosa were reading on grade level by kindergarten.
Tuscaloosa City Schools handles the administration. Please contact them for more information.
Goals and Impact
Expand access for children to effective pre-k programs
Ensure that every family with a child who wants to participate in pre-k has the opportunity to do so
Positively impact future academic, economic, and social performance of children
Project Updates
Testimonials
“I am so excited to be teaching one of the Elevate pre-k classes. This is an essential program to prepare students for the start of elementary school. I know it improves the students' language and early literacy skills. The program also excites the minds of our youngest learners and creates a desire for life-long learning. We are blessed to have a city that believes in the importance of Early Childhood Education and I am proud to be a part of shaping the success of our City's future. Thank you for believing in our students!”
– Jacqueline Dennis, Ed.S., Pre-K Teacher, Arcadia Elementary School
“Elevate’s Pre-K funding means a whole lot to my family, and I’m very thankful for the opportunity that it has given my daughter, Tiera. I’m thankful not just for my child, but for all the children who are able to get going early and get prepared for kindergarten.
– Tiasia Tabb, Pre-K Parent
Timeline
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Key Milestones & Events
Completed:
With the help of Elevate funding, 650 children enrolled in Pre-K for the Spring 2023 semester.
Up Next:
Project Materials
Financial Information
Costs
Cost Summary
Spent:
$1,318,755
Approved:
$1,442,563
Budget:
$5,138,116
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Spent: The amount paid on this project to-date.
Approved: The amount that has been approved by the City Council to be spent for a specific contract or purpose on this project. In city accounting terms, this is spent + encumbered.
Budget: The total amount of money that the City expects to be spent to complete this project. This amount is only finalized once sufficient planning on the project has been completed.
Cost Details
Elevate Tuscaloosa Fund: City funds dedicated to Elevate Tuscaloosa which are allocated to this project.
Other City Funds: City funds from non-Elevate Tuscaloosa sources allocated to this project.
External Funding: Amounts from sources outside of the city, such as grants, or donations from citizens or private companies.
Overall Funding
Funding Summary
Elevate Tuscaloosa Fund:
$1,442,563
Other City Funds:
$0
External Funding:
$0
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