Miss. Misses Out Again on Federal Preschool Money

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi has missed out on its share of $250 million in federal money to expand its fledgling prekindergarten program.

The U.S. Department of Education made the announcement Wednesday.

The state applied for the money in October, asking as much as $60 million over four years to boost a state-paid preschool program for 4-year-olds. Mississippi has spent $3 million a year in each of the last two years.

State Superintendent Carey Wright, a strong proponent of expanding early childhood education, says she’ll keep seeking ways to expand the state’s program

Every state that borders Mississippi – Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee – was among the 18 states that won part of the grant money. A total of 36 states applied.

Mississippi also didn’t win federal grant funds in 2011 and 2013.