Plan would provide preschool for all

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - An independent educational institute unveiled a plan on Thursday that would provide preschool to all children within five years.

The Center for American Progress , which works closely with the White House, wants make pre-kindergarten programs available to all 3-and 4-year-olds.

To make that happen, however, it would cost nearly $200 billion over the next 10 years. Once it's up and running, universal preschool would then cost up to $25 billion every year.

One Chicopee man told 22News it sounds good in theory, but it's not practical in a country that's broke.

“We are $16.6 trillion in debt. If we were a family, couldn't afford it. Would we go out and spend more and more money on all these good things?” Al Dislascia of Chicopee said. “Throwing money at problems does not work.”

President Obama will give his State of the Union Address on Tuesday. He has said that he wants to focus on early education in his second term, but it is unclear whether he will discuss this preschool plan.