Massachusetts Gets $15M For Pre-School Expansion

Massachusetts is among more than a dozen states receiving federal funds to expand early education programs.

Gov. Deval Patrick announced on Wednesday that the $15 million awarded by the U.S. Department of Education will help the cities of Boston, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell and Springfield.

Patrick says the state has applied for $60 million over four years through the federal Preschool Development program and received the full $15 million share in the first year.

He says the grant will help expand pre-school programming for about 750 four-year-olds in the participating cities.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said in a statement that early education is a "powerful investment" that helps kids to grow and succeed.