State sees boost from $51.7M early learning funds

LANSING (AP) -- Officials say Michigan has about 182,000 children that will benefit from a $51.7 million in federal funding to improve early learning programs for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Michigan is one of six states announced last Thursday as winners of a combined $280 million from the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge competition. Gov. Rick Snyder said in a statement "children will be much more successful in school if they have a solid foundation for learning." State Superintendent Mike Flanagan says about 182,000 children in Michigan ages 3 to kindergarten entry from low-income families will benefit. Michigan's proposal to the federal government included a number of goals aimed at helping children and families. Winners were announced by the Education and Health and Human Services departments, which jointly administer the program. Published: Mon, Dec 23, 2013