Colorado expands full-day preschool to more children

State of play: This year, more than 11,000 children will get state-provided, full-day classes, more than double the previous year, our education reporting partners at Chalkbeat write.

• The extra hours are for 4-year-olds with learning challenges, including those who don't speak English. Other eligible children come from low-income families, the foster care system and homeless populations.

Flashback: A year ago, the state left behind students with the greatest needs just weeks before school started because of a money shortage.

Between the lines: This year, more money is available because voters approved Proposition II to increase nicotine taxes to fund the program.

The bottom line: Even with more money, not every 4-year-old will get full-day classes. But it will cover about 31% of those eligible, up from 12% in the 2023-24 school year.