Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) announced that Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program has again been recognized as of the highest quality in a national report released today. Current status of kindergartens in 2023.

Alabama is one of five states in the nation to meet 10 of 10 of the 2023 research-based quality standards and is the only state in the nation to achieve this honor for 18 consecutive years, Governor Ivey's office announced.

The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) tracks preschool enrollment, funding and quality in each state, and according to the 2023 edition of the Kindergarten Yearbook, Alabama is one of only five states in the country to meet 10 of 10 research-based quality benchmarks, making it one of the highest quality preschool programs in the country.

by Program WebsiteThe goal of First Class Prekinder is to ensure that children are school-ready, which the state defines as “children entering school with a desire to learn, the ability to function in social environments, age-appropriate communication and problem-solving skills, and optimal health.”

“Alabama's First Class Pre-K program continues to demonstrate its effectiveness in giving our youngest learners a strong start both in school and in life,” said Governor Ivey. “Alabama has established itself as a national leader in early childhood education, setting a standard of excellence through its significant investments in pre-K.”

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“This recognition from NIEER reflects the dedication and hard work of our staff and partners who support high-quality learning experiences for four-year-olds across our state,” said Acting Commissioner Jan Hume. “We are honored by this recognition and recognize the need for continued efforts to improve and expand high-quality early learning to support children and families across our state.”

“In this year's education budget, I requested funding to waive tuition and fees for parents while continuing to provide access to this program,” said Governor Ivey. “We should be proud that Alabama is leading the nation in expanding access to the program to Alabama's 4-year-olds while ensuring a quality education.”

Alabama First Class Pre-K provides 4-year-olds in the state's 67 counties with access to preschool programs in their communities. Studies of the program's long-term impact show that children who attend First Class Pre-K are more likely to succeed in multiple areas of learning throughout their school years. Program participants have higher college graduation rates, higher average salaries and lower crime rates.

The program has grown significantly over the past decade, from serving 5,000 Alabama 4-year-olds in 2013 to more than 24,000 by 2023. Alabama School Readiness AllianceAbout 50% of Alabama's 4-year-olds had access to the program during the 2022-2023 school year.

Grayson Everett is the state and politics editor for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. Grayson