Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday announced the addition of 35 new Pre-K through third-grade classrooms, continuing the state’s effort to expand early childhood education through her Strong Start, Strong Finish initiative.
The classrooms will be implemented in the 2026–27 school year and will allow more schools in Alabama to adopt the Pre-K–3rd Grade Integrated Approach to Early Learning, commonly known as the P-3 model.
The P-3 approach is designed to align instruction from pre-kindergarten through third grade, creating a more seamless learning experience during a critical window for literacy and long-term academic success.
Rather than treating each grade level as separate, the model emphasizes coordination among teachers, consistent instructional practices and a focus on early reading skills to ensure students are on track by the end of third grade.
“Alabama continues to make meaningful investments in early childhood education because we know these early years matter,” said Ivey. “By expanding the P-3 approach in more schools, we are helping ensure students receive consistent, high-quality instruction that supports their learning from pre-k through third grade.”
Since its launch, the P-3 initiative has had significant growth. It began as a pilot program during the 2017–18 school year with 35 classrooms before expanding to 75 the following year. In the years since, the program has steadily scaled up, reflecting increased state investment in early learning. By 2025, Alabama had expanded the model to more than 450 classrooms across 29 counties, marking a major shift from its early pilot phase to a statewide strategy.
“This expansion reflects Alabama’s continued commitment to supporting our youngest learners and the educators who serve them,” said Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Secretary Ami Brooks. “When schools align instruction from pre-k through third grade, students benefit from a more consistent and supportive learning environment during some of the most important years of their educational journey.”
The initiative is led by the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education in partnership with the Alabama State Department of Education, with an emphasis on classroom instruction and collaboration between school leaders and educators.
