Louisiana Wins Federal Grant For Pre-K Education

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana will receive up to $32 million in federal grant money over four years to improve preschool access for low-income children across the state.

The U.S. Department of Education announced Wednesday that Louisiana was one of 18 states to get grants aimed at giving more quality educational opportunities to at-risk children.

State Superintendent of Education John White said Louisiana is guaranteed $2.4 million for one year. He said the award will grow larger the next three years if the state meets the grant terms, with a total of $32 million possible over four years.

The money will be spent on preschool programs that serve 4-year-olds from low- to moderate-income families.

White says the first year's money will be spent in Monroe and in Caddo, Iberville, Lincoln, Orleans and Rapides parishes.