INDIANAPOLIS (AP): Two top Indiana Democrats seeking election have released a joint plan to develop a state-funded preschool program that would be available to all children regardless of family income.
Democratic candidate for governor John Gregg and state schools Superintendent Glenda Ritz say their plan would direct $150 million to a universal pre-K program.
They say millions in federal grants that Gov. Mike Pence previously turned down could be a big source of funding. Money that goes unspent in state government could be another.
They also suggested Thursday that overhauling the unpopular ISTEP test to make it cheaper while eliminating others like the I-Read given to third-graders could be a good source of funding.
Pence’s campaign says the Republican governor supports expanding the state’s existing pre-K program in a fiscally responsible way.