ELKHART — With open enrollment and a voucher system in place in Indiana, along with a projected decrease in population statewide, many school corporations around the state have looked to make changes in their systems.

One of those changes has been to either add or begin the steps to add pre-kindergarten classes.

Often called “Pre-K,” pre-kindergarten classes are designed for 3-4 year olds and are typically held in an elementary school setting.

The addition of Pre-K classes is a part of Elkhart Community Schools’ Strategic Plan to restructure the school system and has also been suggested in Goshen schools as the Goshen Community Schools Board eyes ways to combat overcrowding. But local and state schools are not the only corporations turning to Pre-K curriculum.

In fact, according Indiana Youth Institute President and CEO Tami Silverman, Indiana is somewhat behind in implementing Pre-K classes as compared to the rest of the country.

“As a proportion, the amount of Pre-K that’s available in Indiana is less than the national average. We are a little behind our peer states,” Silverman said Thursday, from her office in Indianapolis.

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