The Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program and The Rockefeller Foundation has named the City of San Antonio’s Pre-K 4 SA initiative a “Top 10 State and Metropolitan Innovations to Watch in 2013.” The distinction highlights the top ten initiatives around the country that show the most promise for creating jobs, growing regional economies, and boosting global competitiveness in the coming year.

The highlighted programs and projects are part of the Brookings-Rockefeller Project on State and Metropolitan Innovation, which presents fiscally-responsible state policies and practical metropolitan-led solutions that leaders can use to move toward the next economy. These innovations cover five topics: exports, low carbon, innovation, opportunity and governance. This year, the Pre-K 4 SA program was chosen for the ‘metro-opportunity’ category for the effort to build a more skilled workforce in the region.

“It is an honor for the City of San Antonio’s Pre-K program to receive this recognition,” said San Antonio City Manager Sheryl Sculley. “The Pre-K program is an investment in the City’s future and will prepare our youngest students for a lifetime of success. All children deserve an equal ability to learn and achieve academically from all backgrounds.”

The Pre-K 4 SA initiative utilizes revenue generated by a 1/8-cent sales tax and other state and federal dollars to provide high-quality, full-day Pre-K for eligible four-year-olds in San Antonio. The program aims to improve the educational trajectory of more than 22,000 four-year-old children over eight years while benefitting thousands more by training area school teachers, teacher’s aides, community Pre-K providers and education leaders. On Nov. 6, 2012, San Antonio residents approved the 1/8-cent sales tax increase to fund the program.

For more information about the Pre-K 4 SA program, contact Rebecca Flores at (210) 207-8239.