Gov. Andy Beshear is expanding Kentucky’s “Pre-K for All” pilot program again — this time to his dad’s hometown of Dawson Springs.
About 160 children will be enrolled through the Dawson Springs Independent School District, Beshear announced Thursday.
“This is a town that’s been through a lot. It’s been through a level of heartbreak that’s hard to comprehend from the 2021 tornadoes, but they are building back with strength,” Beshear said. “And this news adds to their progress because Pre-K is not just a win for our kids, but also for families and local businesses in a community.”
Lenny Whalen, the superintendent of Dawson Springs Schools, said early education has “immediate and lasting effects” for children and communities.
“We’re looking to have a stronger kindergarten, have stronger reading and math skills, and be more likely to graduate high school and possibly go into college or other skilled trades,” Whalen said. “That’s 160 kids less likely to be chronically absent or have behavior issues.”
This news brings the school districts with Pre-K programs to 5. They are:
In June 2025, Beshearsigned an executive orderestablishing the Pre-K for All Advisory Committee to explore support for universal pre-kindergarten programs in Kentucky. After meeting for several months, thecommittee recommendedthat Kentucky phase in expanded access to pre-K over several years.
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