Ellington

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi education officials have awarded $2 million to 11 groups to provide preschool for four-year-olds.

It's Mississippi's first use of state money to pay for prekindergarten classes.

The state Board of Education approved the grants Thursday.

The consortiums, chosen from among 30 applicants, expect to be able to serve least 1,200 children. The winners will be eligible to receive up to $8.5 million over the next three years, assuming the Legislature appropriates more money.

All of the groups include at least one school district, as well as other groups such as Head Start centers, private child care centers and foundations.

Lawmakers approved funding for the program last year in hopes that it would give a leg up to children who otherwise might be ill-prepared for kindergarten.