Governor Easley delivered on his promise to help North Carolina's needy 4-year-olds who have never benefited from day care or other early-childhood services. He created More at Four, an academic prekindergarten program that is helping 10,000 youngsters across the state get an early start on school. Research shows that early childhood education significantly increases academic performance, especially in reading and writing. Public schools, child-care centers and Head Start programs provide the pre-kindergarten classes. To receive the state funding, they have to meet new educational standards to be developed for More at Four.
More for Children Before School Starts
March 24, 2003
Last year's legislative session saw much
discussion of the merits of the governor's prekindergarten
initiative called More at Four. Unfortunately the debate
generated more heat than light.
New Pre-K Classes Funded
November 5, 2002
Hundreds of Charlotte area 4-year-olds are eligible for free public pre-kindergarten - if officials can find them.
More at Four Levels Playing Field for 126 WNC Kids
December 26, 2001
One hundred and twenty-six Western North Carolina 4-year-olds will get the chance to start school on an even footing with their more fortunate peers, thanks to Gov. Mike Easley's More at Four program.
Pre-K Program on Its Way
November 23, 2001
More than a year after a Wake County judge ruled that North Carolina must provide pre-kindergarten classes for at-risk
4-year-olds, the first students are expected to begin attending
school as early as January.
Plans for Pre-K Give Priority to Needy Pupils
May 17, 2001
Needy 4-year-olds who have never benefited from day care or
other early-childhood services would be first in line for an
academic prekindergarten program being developed by the Easley
administration.
