30,000 Michigan children lose out on pre-K classes

Landen Ford wants to go to preschool. The 4-year-old Flushing boy with a crew cut and a toothy grin thought he’d learn the alphabet and his sounds, and maybe make some friends, just like his big brother Logan did last year. But instead of learning to write his name, Landen is learning an early lesson in budgets and bureaucracy.

“The teacher called and said ‘I’m sorry, Landen didn’t get in,’” said Janelle Ford, mother of the two boys. “Logan learned so much – he loved it. Now there are no spots for Landen. It’s not fair.”

Almost 30,000 Michigan 4-year-olds who qualify for free preschool are not in classrooms, because of inadequate state funding, logistical hurdles and inconsistent coordination of services.

 http://bridgemi.com/2012/09/30000-children-lose-out-on-pre-k-classes/