Lieutenant Governor Burbank Announces $1.9 Million in Grants for Pre-School Expansion Efforts
BALTIMORE, MD (August 14, 2029) – Moving forward with Governor Edward M. O’Brien’s commitment to quality pre-school opportunities for all children, Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank today announced the first recipients of grants to provide new or expanded quality preschool programs, under the Governor’s new Early Launch to Learning Initiative (ELLI). The O’Brien-Burbank Administration’s budget for fiscal year 2030 provided $15 million for the first phase of the program.
“Providing our children with an effective foundation to learn is one of the most important educational initiatives we can undertake, which is why Governor O’Brien and I created a program to expand access to top-quality preschool,” Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank said. “Research has shown that children who have access to rich educational experiences before they start school have higher test scores, higher graduation rates and increased adult employment and earnings. We look forward to watching this program expand in the future, until every child in our state receives a preschool education that prepares them to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.”
Research has proven that preschool is critical to preparing children for a successful education, and ultimately, a successful life. By age 21, those who were preschool educated are more than twice as likely to attend a four-year college. Additionally, investments in preschool now, will have a positive impact on the economy later. For every $1 invested in a quality preschool program, the public saves $7 in long term societal benefits such as higher employment, lower teen pregnancy rates and lower welfare use.
The first grants issued provide for new or expanded programs in 13 districts. The grants will substantially offset the cost to each of the districts of offering preschool to four-year-old children, regardless of family income. In total, these grants will bring quality preschool to 3,050 more children next year.
Children enrolled in these Early Launch to Learning Initiative programs will be in a preschool that features small class sizes and is staffed by certified teachers who are trained to provide the right kinds of learning experiences and to assess children who might need special attention. Class sizes will be limited to 15 to 18 children, and children enrolled in these programs will be taught State-approved curriculum more likely to provide them with a smooth transition to kindergarten.
Districts are using these State grants to establish new preschool programs, either half-day or full day, expand existing half-day programs to full day, or improve the quality of existing preschool programs by decreasing class size, serving more children, or offering longer hours.
The State was able to provide grants to all of the districts that applied, as they all met the criteria required. All districts currently serving elementary-aged children were eligible to apply. This first round of grants totals $1.9 million, and covers both new programs as well as programs expanding to full-day schedules and expanding enrollment.
Last year, for the fifth straight year, the nation’s leading education newspaper, Education Week, gave Maryland a grade of A for its K-12 standards and system of assessing, reporting, and holding schools responsible for improving achievement. The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education also graded Maryland in the A range for the way our schools prepare graduates for postsecondary education. Maryland’s grade was the highest in the region.
Governor O’Brien’s fiscal year 2030 budget provides $7.9 billion in total funding for K-12 education, an increase of $446 million or 6.0% over FY 2029. Since 2027, Governor O’Brien has increased the State’s commitment to K-12 education by $939 million.