Missouri Governor Announces Grants to School Districts for Early Development Education

Gov. Blunt Announces Grants to Benefit Missouri's Youngest Students Missouri Governor Matt Blunt Press Release            JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Matt Blunt announced that seventeen Missouri school districts and private preschools have been awarded state grants to launch or expand early childhood education programs during 2008-09.            "Getting all children off to a good start in life is one of the best ways to ensure their success when they begin school," Gov. Blunt said. "The Missouri Preschool Project provides important assistance for schools and communities throughout our state."            The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recently selected the 17 programs to receive Missouri Preschool Project (MPP) grants totaling more than $1.6 million. Since it was established in 1998, the MPP grant program has assisted more than 350 projects.  More than 4,600 3- and 4-year-old children are now being served by programs that receive support through MPP grants.            The following school districts and preschools have been selected to receive 2008-09 grants: Bayless School District, St. Louis Beginning Futures, St. Louis Chilhowee School District, Chilhowee Drexel School District, Drexel Greenville School District, Williamsville Hannibal Public Schools, Hannibal Hartville School District, Hartville Hollister School District, Hollister Hudson School District, Appleton City Kiddie Kountry Preschool and Childcare, Scott City Laquey School District, Laquey Little Learners Academy, Potosi Lonedell School District, Lonedell M & M's Kids Kampus, LLC, Perryville Southeast Missouri State University, Sikeston TLC Preschool, Chaffee West Plains School District, West Plains            Gov. Blunt has called for maximizing the state's resources for young children and has championed early childhood issues. He appointed the Coordinated Board for Early Childhood, a group that will coordinate Missouri's efforts in serving young Missourians and their families. The governor has provided increases in his budgets to enhance Parents as Teachers and signed legislation to establish standards for early childhood programs that receive funding from the state. Gov. Blunt has also signed legislation to establish a pre through graduate school council to reduce the gaps between primary, secondary, college, graduate school and the workforce and to ensure that Missouri students are well prepared for the challenges of the global economy.            For more information, contact Jo Anne Ralston, director of early childhood education (DESE), at 573-751-2095. -- http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.blogspot.com