Gov. Susana Martinez says the state education department will be able to expand pre-kindergarten education next year and fund all 40 programs across the state that applied for funding.
Martinez says that thanks to a $4.5 million increase in the budget approved by lawmakers for the 2013-2014 school year, the education department can fund 12 new PreK programs in areas including Roswell, Silver City and Taos.
Student funding for PreK this year is about $13.7 million, more than double what it was when Martinez took office.
New Mexico's PreK program began in 2005 and serves students 4 to 5 years old with educational programs before they begin kindergarten. Participation is voluntary.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.