A $14.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education will allow children in Idaho and other rural states to prepare for kindergarten though an online program.
The nonprofit Waterford Institute is targeting children who don’t have access to preschool. Idaho is one of five states that don’t have publicly funded preschool programs, and many families can’t afford tuition at private preschools.
The Institute will offer an online kindergarten readiness program for free lessons, digital books, and animated songs. Each family receives a laptop computer they can keep if they meet usage requirements.
Pilot programs will also be offered in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. (AP)
