Rochester takes a strong stand in the growing statewide fight for fair and equal pre kindergarten funding for every child

Rochester, New York – In a city where early education has long been seen as both a necessity and an investment, Rochester is now stepping forward with renewed urgency—calling for fairness in how New York funds its youngest learners.

On April 9, inside the Rochester Early Childhood Education Center, a coalition of educators, advocates, and lawmakers gathered with a shared message: the current system is leaving too many children behind. The Rochester City School District joined forces with Assemblywoman Sarah Clark, along with local organizations Roc the Future and the Children’s Agenda, to spotlight what they describe as a growing imbalance in pre-kindergarten funding across the state.

At the heart of the issue is a simple but significant gap. While New York City has received dedicated funding streams to expand its 3-year-old pre-kindergarten programs—commonly known as 3K—dozens of other districts have not. In fact, 73 districts across the state, including Rochester, have been excluded from similar levels of support, despite collectively serving a large share of eligible children.

Rochester, in particular, plays a critical role. The district accounts for nearly one-third of all 3K seats outside New York City, making its funding challenges not just local, but statewide in impact. Yet year after year, the financial model has remained largely unchanged. The per-pupil rate for Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) has stayed flat, while the Foundation Aid allocated for K-12 education continues to rise. That widening gap is putting pressure on programs that many families rely on.

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Educators warn that without adjustments, the strain could begin to affect the quality and stability of early childhood education offerings. For a district already working to expand access, the timing is especially critical.

“We recognize our obligation to make sure we’re supportive of our community by investing in our children,” said Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, Superintendent of Schools. “We strongly support Assemblywoman Clark’s efforts to ensure state funding keeps pace with the actual costs of these essential programs, so we’re developing individuals to be productive citizens and future leaders.

His remarks reflect a broader belief among district leaders—that early education is not simply a service, but a foundation for long-term success. Research has consistently shown that children who attend high-quality pre-kindergarten programs are more likely to perform well academically and socially in later years.

Rochester is not waiting on the sidelines. In a move that underscores its commitment, the district recently announced plans to open two new Rochester Childhood Education Centers for the 2026–27 school year. The expansion is intended to meet rising demand and ensure more children have access to structured early learning environments.

“What a wonderful opportunity we have before us to make investments in our future,” said Dr. Rosser. “There is a great need for early learning education, and our investment is simple; it will most certainly lead to positive outcomes for students while they are in school and beyond.”

Still, local efforts alone may not be enough. Assemblywoman Clark emphasized that the issue is ultimately one of equity—ensuring that children across New York, regardless of where they live, have access to the same opportunities.

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“The Rochester City School District has been very committed to early education and understands very well that the earlier we can get to children, the better off their success will be,” said Assemblywoman Clark. “If you are putting the money into New York City to do full 3K, you have to do it equitably for all programs that currently exist in the rest of the state.”

Her push comes as state lawmakers continue to shape the final budget. The Assembly’s one-house proposal has already taken a step in that direction, building on Governor Kathy Hochul’s initial plan by including higher per-pupil rates for districts offering 3K programs. For advocates, that signals progress—but not yet a complete solution.

Back in Rochester, the message from Thursday’s gathering was clear: early education cannot be treated as optional or unevenly distributed. It is, they argue, a shared responsibility—one that requires consistent, fair investment.

As discussions move forward in Albany, Rochester’s leaders hope their voices—and the needs of their youngest students—will not be overlooked.