Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) ranks Alabama First Class Pre-K as the nation’s highest quality state pre-kindergarten program for the 13th consecutive year.

This includes the program in Selma City School System, that is now called the Selma City School’s Strong Start Pre-K program.

“We are excited about getting as many students in our program as possible,” said Selma City School Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams.

The Selma Pre-K program is going through some changes this summer as they are moved to Sophia P. Kingston Elementary School after the Selma City School Board voted in January to close the Byrd First Class Early Learning Center and Cedar Park Elementary School.

Williams said she encourages parents to register students as soon as possible to help determine staffing needs.

“Our preference is by May 24,” said Williams. “That would give us time to plan for staffing and to have all of the resources we would need.”

Registration can be completed online www.selmacityschools.org.

“For a child to reach their fullest potential later in life, they must first build a strong foundation. I’m proud that Alabama First Class Pre-K is once again proving to be successful in providing that solid ground for our youngest learners,” Ivey said. “From our state’s historic investment in this program to Secretary Jeana Ross’s unmatched leadership, Alabama is setting the tone for early childhood education around the country. Other states know that Alabama’s students are getting off to a very strong start, and if they follow Alabama’s lead, then they, too, can do the same for their students.”

In 2018, Alabama First Class Pre-K received its largest-ever single-year funding increase, which expanded access to 32 percent of 4-year-olds in the state while continuing to meet all 10 quality standards benchmarks. Alabama requires all First-Class Pre-K lead teachers to have a bachelor’s degree, at a minimum, and provides salary parity with Kindergarten through third-grade teachers, according to a release from Ivey’s office.

“As Alabama continues to expand access to high-quality, voluntary pre-k for four-year-olds, the Department is committed to ensuring the highest quality early learning experiences,” Jeana Ross, Secretary of Early Childhood Education said. “With the support of the Alabama Legislature and the strong leadership of Governor Kay Ivey, Alabama continues to lead the nation in growth and quality. We are constantly working to develop and implement policies that support program quality in early childhood settings.”

“The Alabama First Class Pre-K program’s 13-year reign leading the nation in pre-k quality is unprecedented, and a testament to the teachers, coaches, and monitors who work with children enrolled in the program every day,” said Allison Muhlendorf, executive director of the Alabama School Readiness Alliance. “We will continue to work with state leaders to encourage increased investments in the program so that more families have the opportunity to participate.”

In addition to the First Class Pre-K program’s perennial stay at the top of quality rankings, ASRA also points to continuing research by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama to demonstrate the impact state investments in pre-k are making in improving student outcomes. 

The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education manages the First Class Pre-K program. Across the state, there are 1,045 Alabama First Class Pre-K classrooms located in various public and private schools, child care centers, faith-based centers, Head Start programs, and other community-based preschool settings. However, that is only enough classrooms to enroll approximately 32 percent of 4-year-olds across the state.