Advocates Rally for Restoration of Early Childhood Education Funding

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Advocates gather at the Louisiana State Capitol to demand increased funding for early childhood education.

News Summary

On May 20, 2025, advocates gathered at the Louisiana State Capitol to demand the restoration of nearly $11 million in funding for early childhood education. With the proposed budget for next year significantly lower, speakers emphasized the critical need for financial support. Despite some restoration efforts, early childhood programs continue to face cutting measures, impacting accessibility for thousands of children. The rally highlighted the importance of investing in early education to secure a stronger future workforce and economy in Louisiana.

BATON ROUGE – Advocates gathered at the Louisiana State Capitol on May 20, 2025, to demand the restoration of nearly $11 million in funding for early childhood education that was eliminated during last year’s budget cuts. During the rally, a group of students performed a song to draw attention to the critical issue at hand, highlighting the importance of financial support for early childhood programs.

Currently, the proposed budget for the next fiscal year is estimated to be about $440 million less than the present year’s budget. Although the state House of Representatives has added nearly $200 million for teacher pay stipends, they also made a $30 million cut for student tutoring. Moreover, the budget allocates around $94 million for a program assisting families in paying for private education, yet the amount earmarked for early childhood education stands at just over $78 million, falling short of the $87.8 million advocated for by supporters.

Libbie Sonnier, a representative from the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, emphasized the pressing need for increased investment in early childhood education. She described the long-term benefits of such funding, arguing that investing in young children now will cultivate a stronger workforce and economy in the future. The advocates are seeking to reverse the trend of funding cuts that have previously affected early childhood programs, ultimately resulting in the loss of 720 child care seats in Louisiana.

Last spring, the state Senate enacted a significant cut of $24 million from early childhood programs; however, after extensive advocacy efforts, $15 million of this was restored. Nonetheless, this restoration did not fully mitigate the damage done to early childhood care accessibility in the state. At present, approximately 100,000 children in Louisiana lack access to affordable, quality child care. Compounding this issue is a reported waitlist of over 4,500 children seeking assistance through the Child Care Assistance Program.

Research indicates that children from low-income families who attended preschool are twice as likely to start kindergarten with essential foundational reading skills compared to their peers who did not attend preschool. Despite this evidence, only one in five children from low-income families in Louisiana has access to publicly funded early education.

The economic implications of inadequate early child care access are substantial, costing Louisiana around $1.3 billion annually due to lost work productivity from parents. Mandi Mitchell, president of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, acknowledged the necessity of accessible early child care in supporting the workforce and economic health of the community.

Governor Jeff Landry expressed his support for early childhood education during a pre-recorded speech at the event but did not commit to a specific increase in funding. Additionally, State Superintendent Cade Brumley recognized the positive impact of early childhood education on the overall education rankings of the state, reinforcing the argument for enhanced financial support.

The push for funding restoration underscores a broader narrative about prioritizing comprehensive support for education programs. Advocates urge for a more equitable funding approach that benefits all education levels rather than selectively prioritizing one over another.

As the rally at the Louisiana State Capitol concluded, participants reiterated that early childhood education is crucial for laying a solid foundation for children’s future academic success and economic stability. The call for funding restoration serves as a pivotal moment in the ongoing conversation about educational equity and the importance of investing in the next generation.