Borough gains 15 new readiness slots

0
54

NAUGATUCK — As part of the state’s education reform plans, 1,000 new school readiness slots have been awarded to providers throughout the state, including 15 new slots in Naugatuck.

Public Act 12-116, “An Act Concerning Education Reform,” targets $6.8 million in new funding for increased access to early childhood education. The slots will be administered through the Connecticut School Readiness program, a state Department of Education initiative designed to provide for, and increase access to, high-quality preschool for children ages 3 and 4, according to a news release.

“Early education provides the foundation for the future success of our children, and the assignment of the 1,000 new school readiness slots marks yet another important step toward improving the overall quality of education throughout the state of Connecticut,” said Gov. Dannel Malloy in the release.

State Sen. Joseph Crisco (D-17) welcomed the news and added the reform act enhances primary school reading programs, creates or fortifies 20 school-based health centers, and establishes ten school-based family resource centers in the state.

“When this bill was under consideration I felt strongly the state should maximize its commitment to school readiness, and I’m delighted the resulting law provides for 1,000 young students, 46 of them right here in the 17th Senatorial District,” Crisco said in a news release. “These opportunities will help ensure these students enter kindergarten with adequate and age-appropriate communications and math skills.”