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Posted: Thursday, January 10th, 2013 9:33 AM HST

Governor unveils early learning program

By Ken Hupp - 67AM KPUA News

Governor Neil Abercrombie has unveiled a proposal for a new early learning program. The program would work with existing private non-profits and expand them to make preschool universal for all. Abercrombie is asking state legislators to approve a $32.5 million plan to make that happen. $28.9 million is expected to cover the costs for about 3,500 hundred children. The school readiness program will be five days a week and will mirror the Department of Education schedule. State officials plan to have the program in place by the 2014-2015 school year—in time to accommodate the thousands of children who won't be able to enroll in Kindergarten after the new birth date cutoff goes into effect. Hawai`i is one of 11 states without a state-funded early learning program.