Montgomery, AL – Several Alabama groups are being praised for their support of pre-kindergarten education.
Gov. Bob Riley honored Pre-K advocates Wednesday by presenting them with the Pre-K Champion Award that is given each year by the national nonprofit group Pre-K Now.
The award is given to organizations that demonstrate outstanding advocacy and success in moving toward voluntary, high-quality Pre-K.
The Alabama Office of School Readiness received the award along with advocacy organizations including VOICES for Alabama's Children, the Alabama Partnership for Children, A+ Education Foundation, Alabama Giving and the Alabama School Readiness Alliance.
The Legislature approved doubling Alabama's Pre-K funding to $20 million in the 2008 session. The increase allows an additional 1,800 four-year-olds to enroll in the program next school year.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)