There might be more pressure on state lawmakers now that a preschool program has passed through the Indianapolis city-county council.
State lawmakers have been taking a meticulous road toward preschool, piloting a program in a few different counties.
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard says the city may serve as a model, and a pressure point, for creating a comprehensive pre-k program state-wide.
"Eventually the state understands how important this is to Indianapolis and eventually they'll figure out that all the other cities across the state will want this also, because we all see the same thing," says Ballard
He says kids who go through a pre-k program not only get a bump in reading and math, but also develop long-lasting coping skills, conflict resolution, and patience.
The City-County Council Monday voted in favor of a five-year plan to provide preschool scholarships to low-income families.
The proposal establishes the program's framework but doesn’t indicate how it will be funded.
