Montgomery, Ala. (WDNews) — Gov. Kay Ivey announced Tuesday that Alabama will add 35 new classrooms through the state’s Pre-K through 3rd Grade Integrated Approach to Early Learning initiative for the 2026-27 school year.
According to a press release, the expansion is part of Ivey’s Strong Start, Strong Finish initiative, which focuses on improving learning opportunities for children during their earliest school years.
The P-3 initiative is designed to connect First Class Pre-K with kindergarten through third grade so students have a more consistent learning experience as they build literacy and other foundational academic skills.
“Alabama continues to make meaningful investments in early childhood education because we know these early years matter,” Ivey said. “By expanding the P-3 approach in more schools, we are helping ensure students receive consistent, high-quality instruction that supports their learning from pre-k through third grade.”
State officials said the program is led by the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education in partnership with the Alabama State Department of Education. The effort supports schools as they work to strengthen instruction, improve leadership collaboration and use research-based strategies aimed at student success.
“This expansion reflects Alabama’s continued commitment to supporting our youngest learners and the educators who serve them,” Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Secretary Ami Brooks said. “When schools align instruction from pre-k through third grade, students benefit from a more consistent and supportive learning environment during some of the most important years of their educational journey.”
More information about Alabama’s P-3 initiative is available through the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education.
