# Beshear launches Pre-K pilot programs in Robertson, Rockcastle counties  
**Published:** 2026-05-07T17:36:23.000Z  
**Source:** [Office of the Governor](https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2751)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/beshear-launches-pre-k-pilot-programs-in-robertson-rockcastle-counties

Gov. Andy Beshear has signed an executive order to launch pre-K for all pilot programs in Robertson and Rockcastle Counties, marking a step forward in his administration's push for universal preschool access in Kentucky. According to an announcement from the [Office of the Governor](https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2751), the pilot programs will expand early childhood education efforts to benefit hundreds of Kentucky children in coming school years.

The administration is taking dollars from some workforce programs that it did not believe were maximizing outcomes to fund the full-day pilots, which will run the 2026-2027 school year. The pilot programs launch in Robertson and Rockcastle Counties, with the goal to add more in the coming year.

During his weekly press conference, Beshear criticized Kentucky lawmakers for not agreeing to his budget request for pre-K funding. The executive action allows the governor to move forward with his signature Pre-K for All initiative without waiting for legislative approval, following months of advocacy and community outreach.

Local school leaders have expressed strong support for the initiative. Carrie Ballinger, superintendent of Rockcastle County Schools, said the pilot program will help the county put a stop to the learning gap before it ever begins, noting that the first five years of a child's life are crucial to their growth and development. Sanford Holbrook, superintendent of Robertson County Schools, said expanding preschool is important to the community because Robertson County has no childcare, with the nearest providers located half an hour away.

The pilot programs reflect recommendations from the Pre-K for All Advisory Committee, established in June 2025, which recommended Kentucky phase in expanded access to pre-K over several years. According to KY Stats, more than half of Kentucky children — 53.8% — are unprepared for their first day of kindergarten.

The pilots represent an intermediate step toward Beshear's broader Pre-K for All vision, which proposes a recurring $40.5 million for fiscal year 2028 to provide 9,683 4-year-olds the chance to attend half-day pre-K at districts that express their readiness. The goal of the Team Kentucky Pre-K for All Program is for all 4-year-olds in Kentucky to have access to publicly funded preschool.

## Sources

- [Office of the Governor](https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2751)
- [Kentucky governor to launch pre-K pilot programs in two counties - Yahoo News](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/kentucky-governor-launch-pre-k-173123513.html)
- [Gov. Beshear advocates for Pre-K for All - Spectrum News](https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2025/06/04/beshear-pre-k-for-all-plan)
- [Gov. Beshear: 93 School Superintendents Endorse Pre-K for All - Governor's Office](https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2686)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Office of the Governor, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2751.