A California commission has decided to spend $100 million on a program to help fund preschool for all children using a voter-approved tobacco tax. The First Five California commission will provide the money in matching grants to counties that develop a system of universal preschool.
Film director Rob Reiner is the commission´s chairman. He says early childhood education programs give kids a better foundation for school and save the state money in the long run.
The funds come from Proposition Ten, which imposed a 50-cent-per-pack cigarette tax to fund early education and health care for young children.
The commission will accept applications for matching grants from counties that are developing voluntary universal preschool programs.
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 4:51 pm