Pre-K pilot program expands
Delaware, Grant, Howard and Madison counties are now eligible to participate in On My Way Pre-K, an early education pilot program established in 2014, according to State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero).
Cook supported a bill during the 2017 legislative session expanding Indiana’s pre-K pilot program from five counties to 20. This new law will provide high-quality early education to more low-income four-year-olds. Local providers can begin enrolling children in the On My Way Pre-K program for the 2018-2019 school year.
“As a former educator, I have seen the benefits of high-quality early childhood education, and I support this responsible expansion of the pilot program,” Cook said. “By opening the program up to these counties, some at-risk children will have the opportunity to attend a high-quality preschool, have higher wage-earning potential and will be more likely to graduate from high school.”
According to Cook, the program currently serves nearly 2,300 students in five counties. Under this measure, 15 additional, primarily rural counties were added. The 2017 Early Learning Advisory Council annual report estimates about 6,700 four-year-olds could be served in these new counties.
The other counties added to the On My Way Pre-K program are Bartholomew, DeKalb, Elkhart, Floyd, Harrison, Kosciusko, Marshall, Monroe, St. Joseph, Tippecanoe and Vigo.
To find out more about Indiana’s early education programs and to learn about eligibility requirements, visit www.in.gov/fssa and click on Early Learning/Child Care.
Increasing student course options
Gov. Eric Holcomb recently ceremonially signed a law authored by State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero) providing students with increased access to specialty classes and business or trade certification programs.
Cook said this new law will help balance the educational playing field for students by allowing them to take courses at a different school or through an online program not offered, while remaining enrolled in their current school.
“This new policy will help all students across Indiana, regardless of where they are enrolled,” Cook said. “Some schools may lack the necessary resources to provide specialty classes or certification trade programs in high-demand areas. Students and their families will now have the option to customize their education courses that will lead them on the path to their career.”
According to Cook, the Indiana Department of Education can establish the Course Access Program while overseeing courses and course providers. Students will be able to enroll in an approved class with certain vetting from their school corporation.
This law goes into effect July 1. To learn more, visit iga.in.gov.
State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero) represents House District 32, which includes all of Tipton County and portions of Hamilton, Madison, Delaware, Howard and Grant counties.