VPK Enrollment Rises

Enrollment in Florida's Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program is above 124,000 youngsters this year, an increase of nearly 5 percent from this time last year, state figures show.

The enrollment hike is particularly sharp in some places, including Orange and Osceola counties, where it has increased by 13 and 16 percent, respectively. It is up in Seminole (nealry 9 percent) and Volusia (more than 5 percent) but down a bit (about 1.6 percent) in Lake County.

The VPK enrollment surge (which was higher than anticipated by state economists) will be a hit on the state budget.

The program is free to all 4-year-olds because of 2002 voter referendum. So if youngsters enroll, the state must pay.

It looks like the increased enrollment will mean Florida must pitch in another $17.5 million this fiscal year, the Office of Economic & Demographic Research told lawmakers this week.

I don't know the answer yet, but I wonder if this enrollment spike (like that I mentioned earlier in public schools) is also because of the economy? Perhaps people who might have otherwise opted for a completely private pre-K now seeking out places that take part in the state program?