Lt. Gov. Coleman and Senior Advisor Rocky Adkins
Make Stops in Eastern Kentucky To Highlight
‘Pre-K for All’ Initiative
Leaders in business, education join Governor’s call for
pre-K for all of Kentucky’s 4-year-olds
ASHLAND/HAZARD, Ky. (June 5, 2025) – Today, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Rocky Adkins, senior advisor to Gov. Andy Beshear, joined local officials, educators, business leaders and parents in Eastern Kentucky to rally support for the “Pre-K for All” initiative, which aims to advance the commonwealth’s public education system and job growth.
“Kentucky will never reach its potential if our children’s zip code determines their place in the world by the first day of kindergarten,” Lt. Gov. Coleman said. “The time for pre-K is now.”
“It is past time we invested in our kids, set them up for success, and ensured they were ready on day one of kindergarten,” said Adkins. “This is a no-brainer issue. This will get more Kentuckians in the workforce, help our families with childcare needs, cut costs for parents, and bring greater opportunity to every child here in Kentucky. We have the money to do this, Kentuckians have the desire to do this, and we owe it to our people and our future to get the job done.”
Those joining the Lieutenant Governor and Adkins in Eastern Kentucky said:
“Preschool offers numerous benefits that extend beyond academic readiness,” said Perry County Judge/Executive Scott Alexander. “It saves money for families, increases graduation rates, enhances social skills and bridges the gap between socioeconomic groups. I applaud Gov. Beshear for leading the fight for universal pre-K in the commonwealth.”
“As mayor of Russell and a school bus driver with Russell Independent Schools, I can attest to the positive impact Pre-K for All would have in Eastern Kentucky,” said Russell Mayor Samuel Simpson. “It will prepare more kids and families for success, giving our schools and our workforce a boost. We are all in for Pre-K for All.”
“As a mother of two young children, I know firsthand the need for child care and universal pre-K,” said Morehead Mayor Laura White-Brown. “I had two children during the time of COVID-19, and there was no greater emphasis on child care than at that time. The realization of the demand for child care for the workforce, along with affordable child care made a substantial impact not only in my community but across the region. I am the mother of a 7-year-old and 10-year-old. I have made it a priority to create a community that is welcoming and inclusive of a workforce that supports working parents while also focusing on affordable child care.”
“Implementation of Pre-K for All will help us reinvigorate education in Kentucky and fuel job creation,” said Larry Ferguson, president of Ashland Community and Technical College. “It also combats a major hurdle for many college students and workers regarding childcare accessibility. This is an opportunity we cannot miss.”
“Providing preschool for all 4-year-olds in Kentucky is vital, as it significantly enhances kindergarten readiness leading to higher proficiency in reading and math, improved social emotional development, and reduced grade retention,” said Carrie Ballinger, superintendent of Rockcastle County Schools. “Access to preschool ensures that all Kentucky 4-year-olds, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to thrive. Additionally, it would alleviate the cost of child care for families and support greater workforce participation, contributing to the state's economic growth.”
“In Eastern Kentucky, SOAR believes everyone deserves the chance to discover purpose through meaningful work,” said Colby Hall, executive director of Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR). “Pre-K helps make that possible by preparing children for success and freeing parents to pursue opportunity.”
When Gov. Beshear announced the Pre-K for All initiative on Wednesday, he noted that, according to KY Stats, more than half of Kentucky’s children – 53.8% – are unprepared when they show up for their first day of kindergarten.
“Before they even step through the door, they are behind. This creates an achievement gap that is nearly impossible to close,” Gov. Beshear said. “To increase kindergarten-readiness, we need to offer pre-K for every 4-year-old across the state of Kentucky.”
The Governor said that in addition to increasing educational opportunities for the state’s youngest learners, Pre-K for All will also help put money back in the pockets of parents and caregivers and grow the commonwealth’s workforce.
“American families are struggling to pay the bills, and one of the key drivers is a lack of childcare,” Gov. Beshear said. “Pre-K for All can ease the financial burden facing our hard-working families and make paying the bills a little easier.”
The Governor noted that according to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, 79 of Kentucky’s 120 counties – nearly two-thirds – don’t have access to enough child care to serve every family who needs it, with the majority of those located in Eastern Kentucky.
A long-term study from Yale found that providing pre-K increased the earnings of parents and caregivers by nearly $9,000 annually, a trend that held for at least six years. This amounts to $54,000 for Kentucky families as their kids grow.
And what’s good for kids and families is also good for Kentucky’s business and economy. According to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, over time, Pre-K for All is projected to grow Kentucky’s workforce by up to 70,000 people.
In addition, a study from Yale shows that every dollar invested in pre-K generates $10 that cycles through the state economy.
Lt. Gov. Coleman stressed that Pre-K for All is a nonpartisan issue, noting that 18 states – including Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia and West Virginia – offer pre-K access for all 4-year-olds.
As part of the initiative, Gov. Beshear issued an executive order creating the Team Kentucky Pre-K for All Advisory Committee, comprising 28 leaders from across the commonwealth.
The Pre-K for All initiative aims to build on Kentucky’s historic economic winning streak.
Under the Beshear-Coleman administration, the state has broken its job-creation record, creating more than 60,000 good jobs. And while Kentucky has reached the highest point ever for the number of people employed, number of jobs filled and civilian labor force, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor believe there is still important work to do.
To support the plan, the Gov. Beshear will host a news conference in Bowling Green on Friday and the Lieutenant Governor will visit Paducah. Next week, the Governor will travel to Owensboro.
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