By Alyson Klein

A majority of states—thirty-two in all—are interested in the U.S. Department of Educations new Preschool Development Grant program, which is aimed at helping states beef up and expand their early childhood offerings. States had until late last week to submit an “intent to apply” with the department.

The “intent to apply” notices aren’t a prerequisite for an application—which are officially due October 14—but they give the administration some sense of who is interested and who isn’t.

The upshot? States and districts may be somewhat weary of competitive grants, but the early childhood education money seems to be garnering a lot of interest.

Nine states—Hawaii, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Utah—plus, Puerto Rico, raised their hand for a slice of the $80 million in”development” grants, which are intended for states who are just getting started when it comes to early childhood.  Overall, 15 states plus Puerto Rico are considered eligible for that category.

via Majority of States Raise Their Hands for New Preschool Grants – Politics K-12 – Education Week.