JEFFERSON CITY — One of the top priorities of Sen. Joe Keaveny, D-St. Louis, for the 2013 legislative session is to expand access to early childhood education programs in Missouri to help strengthen the state’s economy and future workforce. His sponsored SB 133, which addresses funding for early childhood education programs in Missouri, is up for possible debate in the Missouri Senate.

Senate Bill 133 would allow a school district or charter school that operates an early childhood education program to receive state funding through Missouri’s foundation formula for students between the ages of 3 and 5 who are eligible for free and reduced lunch. This act would become effective in the school year after the academic year in which the foundation formula is fully funded and would remain in effect in any succeeding year.

“By investing in our children’s education at an early age, our kids are more likely to retain the knowledge they gain as young students and go on to have successful school years and rewarding careers,” Sen. Keaveny said. “Increasing Missouri’s pre-kindergarten funding would give businesses an incentive to relocate to a more educated state.”

Senator Keaveny also notes that the return on investment for early education programs span between $7 and $12. He also stressed that without high quality early childhood intervention, at-risk children are:

• 25 percent more likely to drop out of school;
• 40 percent more likely to become a teen parent;
• 50 percent more likely to be placed in special education;
• 60 percent more likely never to attend college; and
• 70 percent more likely to be arrested for a violent crime.