NASHVILLE - A $25 million increase has been proposed by Democrat Governor Phil Bredesen in pre-K funding to open enrollment to expand the participation of this program targeting 3 and 4-year-old children. In remarks from the State of the State Address, the Governor communicated his belief that dollar for dollar there is no better investment that can be made to better the education of children.

On December 12, 2007, a report commissioned by the state was published that provides data that describes the benefit of Pre-K participation as “limited” and with a “short impact” with even negative performance reported. (”Assessing the Effectiveness of Tennessee’s Pre-Kindergarten Program: First Interim Report”)

Without argument, a commitment should be and has been made to provide educational instruction at an early age. However, the analysis of the true benefit at these young ages are revealing less than an accurate picture relative to the glowing assessment offered by Governor Bredesen.

In an environment of budget shortfalls and a cut of services, turning a program from a targeted program into a universal program to serve many children who are already enrolled in private day care is not only duplicitous but a poor use of state funds that are in short supply.

“Expanding government programs and spending is not acting in the best interests of Tennesseans with mixed results being shown…Tennesseans want accountability and results, not spending and politics,” commented Robin Smith, chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party.

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