Statewide preschool initiative gets permanent approval as it enters 25th year in South Carolina
Associated PressCOLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina is cementing a public-private partnership that has been expanding preschool services statewide over the past quarter century. The First Steps initiative enters its 25th year with a novel permanent status that state leaders hope will bolster school preparedness for kids ages 5 and younger. The partnership has served over 1 million children since its adoption in 1999, according to Georgia Mjartan, executive director of South Carolina First Steps, but previously required occasional reauthorization. Government officials and South Carolina First Steps participants celebrated the new stability at a ceremonial bill signing Thursday. Kindergarten for 4-year-olds is available four days a week at no cost in private and charter schools through South Carolina First Steps, according to Mjartan.
History of this topic
Newsom proposes transitional kindergarten for all California 4-year-olds in budget plan
LA TimesDiscover Related
