Four-Year-Old Kindergarten Grants

Start-Up Grant Cycles, Timelines, and Projected Funding

The Wisconsin State Budget enacted in 2008 includes $3 million for 4-year-old kindergarten start-up grants starting July 1, 2008.

In the 2009 budget cycle, Joint Finance retained funding for Cycle 1 but reduced the total funding for Cycle 2 start-up grants to $1.5 million.

Grants are awarded by formula, based on enrollment in 4K programs. The grant program gives preference to school boards that use community approaches to early education, as defined in administrative rule by the DPI. State Statutes designate first-year funding of up to $3,000 and second year funding of up to $1,500 for each pupil enrolled in the approved 4-year-old kindergarten program. If the funds are insufficient to pay full funding for all eligible pupils, the law requires the DPI to prorate the payments to school districts. Funding is based on audited child count data. Therefore, final funding is not known until June of each grant year. The DPI provides preliminary estimates of funding in July and November.

Grant Cycle 1: 2008-2010

Cycle 1 Start-up Grants (2008-2010)

Thirty-one school districts received grants to start 4-year-old kindergarten using community approaches with child care and/or Head Start in 2008-09. These districts received $705.05 in per pupil start-up funding on June 15, 2009.

Districts receiving start-up grants were eligible for one year of continued funding if they continued to meet the criteria for start-up grants. The March assurance form served as intent to continue to implement 4K community approaches in the 2009-2010 school year. Continuation grant funding was provided in June 2010 based on the audited enrollments.

These districts received $685.71 per child in year 2 funding.

List of Cycle 1 Grantees

Grant Cycle 2: 2009-2011

Cycle 2: Year 1 Start-up Grants (2009-2010)

Grants were approved for districts that implemented 4-year-old kindergarten in the 2009-2010 school and had not claimed 4K in their 2008-2009 child count. In May of 2009, 17 districts applied for Cycle 2 funding. Twelve districts were notified that they were eligible for start-up funding under the community approach priority and 4 districts were notified that they were not eligible under the community approach priority but they could receive conditional approval in the event they were able to establish community partners. In March of 2010, the twelve eligible districts completed eligibility verification forms assuring they implemented 4K in accordance with their approved grant application. Based on the reductions in the state budget process, and the number of districts applying for funding, no funds were available for Cycle 2-Year 1.

These districts received $846.50 per child in year 2 funding.

List of Cycle 2 Grantees.

Grant Cycle 3: 2010-2012

Cycle 3: Year 1 Start-Up Grants (2010-2011)

Grants have been approved for districts that began four-year-old kindergarten in 2010-2011 using community approaches with child care and/or Head Start. In May 2010, 15 districts applied for funds and 11 were approved. Based on the reductions in the 2009 state budget process, and the number of districts applying for funding, no funds were available for Cycle 3-Year 1.

Cycle 3: Year 2 Start-Up Grants (2011-2012)

At this time, it is estimated that $832.81 per child will be available for Cycle 3-Year 2. This figure will vary based on the final audited child count.

List of Cycle 3 Grantees.

Cycle 3: Year 1 Start-Up Grant Timeline

Grant Cycle 4: 2011-2013

Cycle 4: Year 1 Start-Up Grants (2011-2012)

Grants have been approved for districts that began four-year-old kindergarten in 2011-2012 using community approaches with child care and/or Head Start. In May 2011, 14 districts that applied for funds were approved. Based on the reductions in the 2009 and 2010 state budget process, and the number of districts applying for funding, it is anticipated that no funds will be available for Cycle 4-Year 1. At this time, funding for Cycle 4-Year 2 cannot be estimated. According to statute, the amount can be no more than $1,500 per student. Based on past funding amounts, it is anticipated to be less than $400 per student.

List of Cycle 4 Grantees.

Cycle 4: Start-Up Grant Timeline

Grant Cycle 5: 2012-2014

Cycle 5: Year 1 Start-Up Grants (2012-2013)

Grant applications for Cycle 5 Start-Up Grants can be found here. Applications are due March 23, 2012. At this time, it is anticipated that no funds will be available for Cycle 5-Year 1. Funding for Cycle 5-Year 2 cannot be estimated. According to statute, the amount can be no more than $1,500 per student. Based on past funding amounts, it is anticipated to be less than $800 per student.

For more information see the following.

• Statute:
  SECTION 2709. 115.445 of the statutes is created to read: 115.445 Four−year−old kindergarten grants.
  (1) A school board may apply to the department for a 2−year grant under this section to implement a 4−year−old kindergarten program.
  (2) (a) In the first school year of a grant awarded under this section, the department shall pay the school board up to $3,000 for each 4−year−old kindergarten pupil enrolled in the school district. In the succeeding school year, the department shall pay the school board up to $1,500 for each 4−year−old kindergarten pupil enrolled in the school district.
  (b) The department shall award grants under this section beginning in the 2008−09 school year and shall give preference in awarding grants to school boards that use community approaches to early education, as defined by the department by rule. If the funds in the appropriation under s. 20.255 (2) (dp) are insufficient to pay all eligible school boards, the department shall prorate the payments.
  (3) The department shall promulgate rules to implement this section.

• Administrative rules: The administrative rules are now in effect.

4K Grant Abstract

Return to the 4-Year-Old Kindergarten in Wisconsin page.

For questions about this information, contact Jill A. Haglund (608) 267-9625

Last updated on 3/22/2012 11:07:14 AM