To Support Parents as Teachers, Gov. Blunt's Plan Increases Funding for Education by $1.2 Billion

January 18, 2008

ASHLAND – Gov. Matt Blunt’s plan to put Missouri students first will increase funding for education with a monumental $1.2 billion over four years, including significant increases to benefit Ashland Parents as Teachers, where the governor today met with families and educators participating in the program. Gov. Blunt is discussing his education plan with Missourians on a statewide tour that follows his State of the State address held earlier this week.

"Education is my highest priority, and Missourians can be proud of all we have accomplished for Missouri students," Gov. Blunt said. "By having the vision to look ahead and the fortitude to keep our commitments to the people of Missouri, we will have increased our total investment in education by $1.2 billion. The significant funding increases I have championed have a real and measurable impact on the young Missourians and families who are getting a head start on learning through the Parents as Teachers program."

In his Fiscal Year 2009 budget Gov. Blunt has again called to significantly increase funding for elementary and secondary education as well as to support higher education. In total, if the General Assembly passes his budget recommendations, Gov. Blunt will have increased the state’s investment in education by a total of $1.2 billion since he became governor, ensuring Missouri teachers and students have the resources they need to succeed.

If approved by the General Assembly, the total increase includes a significant $6 million increase for Parents as Teachers over four years. Parents as Teachers is an education and family support program serving families throughout pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten. The governor is an enthusiastic supporter of Parents as Teachers and has consistently increased funding for Parents as Teachers.

"Parents as Teachers is an exceptional program for families of all backgrounds. As a school district we are particularly interested in opportunities for early intervention. Thank you Governor for your support," said Scott Salmons, principal at Southern Boone Primary.

Overall, the $1.2 billion in total new funding the governor has championed for education includes:

• $662.6 million in increases for K-12. This funding includes new dollars for Parents as Teachers, new money for eMINTS to support 400 technology-focused classrooms across the state, Missouri’s new virtual school, funding to support access and encourage students to take AP classes, and funding for high quality math, science and health related after school programs. In total the governor’s budgets and recommendations call for a significant 18.4 percent increase in direct state aid for local schools since he took office.
• $193 million in new funding for higher education. This funding quadruples funding available for Access Missouri scholarships, includes $13.4 million to support education opportunities for health professionals, and $103 million in new funding for colleges and universities, which when totaled reflects an overall increase of 18 percent for the Department of Higher Education since the governor took office.
• $335 million in additional funding to support state of the art learning centers at dozens of higher education institutions across the state. This funding will strengthen Missouri’s colleges and universities for students and provide much needed funding for enhanced and competitive learning and research centers. The new learning centers will prepare students to compete in today’s global economy where higher quality learning in areas such as math and science are crucial elements for students’ future success.

Gov. Blunt today is visiting with Missourians benefiting from the $1.2 billion total increase in education funding he has championed. He will meet with Parents as Teachers participants in Ashland, visit with elementary school students in St. Louis, talk with students focused on technology in Cape Girardeau, meet with students benefiting from his landmark investments in higher education in Neosho, and talk with business leaders who will employ the highly qualified and well prepared students in the careers of the future in Springfield.

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