Pre-K program passes through committee

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - An Indiana house committee’s proposal for the creation of a high quality pre-kindergarten voucher pilot program passed Thursday.

The proposed pilot program could offer schools a chance to provide an early educational start to children in poverty.

"Early education programs are vital to a child's future," bill author Rep. Behning (R-Indianapolis) said in a press release. "This proposal is the right thing to do for our children, and I hope we continue the fight to give them the best opportunities."

The bill passed through the House Education Committee with a 10-2 vote. Mike Niland, press secretary for the Indiana House of Representatives said Friday that a decision has not been made on the bill's next step.

Rep. Suzanne Crouch (R- Evansville) coauthored the bill.