First Class Pre-K

Education

Alabama expands nationally recognized First Class Pre-K with 58 new classrooms

Gov. Kay Ivey announced 58 new classrooms, bringing the total to 1,528 and expanding high-quality early learning opportunities across the state.

July 14, 2025

Alabama expands P-3 early learning program with 55 new classrooms

Alabama greatly expanded its P-3 early learning program, funding 55 new classrooms for 2025-2026, boosting high-quality education for young children.

May 30, 2025

Alabama’s first class Pre-K ranked best in the nation for 19 straight years

Alabama First Class Pre-K currently serves more than 24,000 children across all 67 counties in the state.

May 1, 2025

Alabama exploring expanding Pre-K program to home-based settings

Alabama is one of only four states to consider offering its First Class Pre-K program in Family Care Centers.

Jacob Holmes

December 23, 2024

Governor: Alabama First Class Pre-K Program to expand

The department will initially add 69 classrooms in 30 counties this fall, providing seats for more than 1,200 children.

June 21, 2023

Opinion

The firing of Alabama’s pre-k secretary isn’t fighting anything. It’s just wrong

In trying to "fight" the notion of inherent biases within governmental systems, Ivey's office likely just proved they exist.

Josh Moon

April 24, 2023

Alabama to add 96 new pre-k classrooms in the fall

Alabama's pre-K program was recognized for the 16th consecutive year for reaching all benchmarks recommended by the National Institute for Early Education Research.

Eddie Burkhalter

April 27, 2022

Governor announces 36 new classrooms funded by P-3

P-3 is funded by the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education through the governor’s Strong Start, Strong Finish education initiative.

April 11, 2022

House passes $8.1 billion education budget

The Alabama Legislature set aside much of the federal surplus of funds to pay off debts and fund reserves.

Jacob Holmes

March 9, 2022

Alabama’s First Class Pre-K a bright spot in state’s Black Belt, report finds

Alabama’s Black Belt communities continue to be hard-hit when it comes to unemployment and a declining population, but according to a report released Tuesday, the region’s Pre-K program is a bright spot. The University of Alabama’s Education Policy Center released its latest report in the center’s “Black Belt 2020” series, each looking at different aspects … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 22, 2020