Michelle Gurgul, a dental hygienist from Allen Park, Michigan, had been unable to afford private preschool for her daughter. “If we had to pay for a tuition-based program, she wouldn’t be going,” Gurgul explained. But this summer, Michigan took a significant step toward offering free preschool to all four-year-olds with the expansion of its state-funded early education program.
The state legislature passed an $85 million funding increase this year, bringing the total number of preschool seats to 6,800. This initiative is part of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s plan to provide free preschool for all by 2027. With this funding, Gurgul’s daughter is now enrolled in one of two new classrooms opened at the Allen Park Early Childhood Center. Although Michigan still lags behind the 70% preschool enrollment threshold for true universal access, Gurgul sees it as a victory. “She wakes up every day excited for school,” Gurgul said.
Nationally, early childhood education is seen as critical for a child’s academic and emotional development, yet there is no consensus on the appropriate age for school entry. While 35% of four-year-olds attended preschool in 2022-23, only six states and Washington, D.C., offer universal, free preschool. States like Illinois, Massachusetts, and Colorado are also working toward this goal, though challenges persist, including lawsuits over access and religious exclusions.
In Michigan, Governor Whitmer’s $85 million increase follows a 2023 decision to spend an additional $72.4 million to extend preschool from four to five days per week, and to raise eligibility for free preschool to families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level. This year’s increase raises the limit further to 400% of the poverty level, or $124,800 for a family of four. Despite this progress, the proposal faced strong opposition from Republicans who argue that the funding could be better spent on other priorities, such as school safety.
Critics, including Molly Macek of the Mackinac Institute, argue that the expansion unfairly benefits higher-income families, though state law prioritizes low-income children and those facing other challenges. Advocates assert that the increase in funding will help address gaps in access, particularly for children in low-income areas.
While the state’s progress is praised, experts stress that additional seats and teacher training are necessary to meet demand. “You have to make sure that the infrastructure is there,” said Jeffrey Cappizano, president of The Policy Equity Group. With new funding, programs are expanding, helping to ensure more children from all backgrounds can access quality preschool.
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