Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s plan to spend $50 million for preschool for the city’s poorest children will tackle two issues: making sure 1,300 more children can afford to enroll and growing the number quality of centers in the city.

“Our vision is for every child in Indianapolis to have access to a voluntary, high-quality early childhood education that prepares him or her for a successful academic career and success in life,” according to the mayor’s proposal.

The city will invest $25 million in tax dollars, and expects to raise an additional $25 million in matching and philanthropic support, to support the plan.

The first scholarships are expected to be awarded to students in 2015-16.

Momentum for expanding access to early education in Indiana has picked up significantly within the last year after more than a decade of relatively little meaningful change.

Read the full story on Chalkbeat IN.