These days, Indiana’s education policies too often sound like a poorly written compare-and-contrast English paper written in haste by a middle school student.
Unfortunately, the past two weeks have brought no clarity to the state’s stance. This time, the squabbling is over funding for pre-kindergarten students.
It seems that everyone agrees on the importance of educating children at a very young age.
Earlier this year, the Republican-controlled Indiana General Assembly passed, and Republican Gov. Mike Pence signed, a bill to create a pre-kindergarten pilot program.
But last week, Pence decided not to apply for up to $80 million in federal preschool funding — despite an extended deadline and calls from to do so several education officials. This week, as the finger-pointing intensified, Pence stood by his decision.
The education reform group Stand for Children Indiana spoke up. The group’s executive director, Justin Ohlemiller, said the grant “could set the stage for Indiana to potentially become a national leader in early childhood education.”
Two Indiana State Board of Education members — Gordon Hendry and Tony Walker — along with state Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz issued public pleas for Pence to apply for the funds.
“Gov. Pence has repeatedly stated his support for creating a high-quality system for early childhood education for Indiana,” Ritz said. “Now, Indiana needs his actions to back up his words.” She called the grant “a once-in-a-decade opportunity.”
Pence responded by issuing a statement Tuesday afternoon saying that “federal funding does not guarantee success.”
“This is not about the money,” Pence said. “It’s about our children and we have an obligation to get it right. Our administration will remain focused on the successful launch of the five county pre-k pilot program approved by the Indiana General Assembly earlier this year.”
And, while Pence was fighting off those who want the grant, he was getting support from conservative corners, where such federal funding is always suspect.
We’re not talking small potatoes here. According to the Federal Register, Indiana could receive as much as $20 million a year from the preschool development grant. Indiana is one of only two states eligible for category one funding. In comparison, the state program will be funded with $10 million of unused appropriations from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. It does not have funding secured for future years. And the five counties participating in the program have to come up with matching funds, including private donations.
Late in the week, the Evansville Courier & Press put a bit more meaning to those numbers. State agencies projected the $80 million in federal money over four years would’ve nearly tripled the number of children in the pre-kindergarten pilot program.
About 2,000 children are expected in the program that starts in five counties next year. With the grant, some 5,700 Indiana children could have attended the preschool program.
We grant Pence’s point that federal funding does not guarantee success. We also note the program touted by Pence is not fully funded. The money it does have comes from funds the state didn’t spend for their intended uses with FSSA. That’s not a formula for success, either.
The compare-and-contrast analysis leaves us scratching our heads.
It sure wouldn’t earn an “A.”