Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — New state Superintendent Carey Wright is emphasizing more money for state-funded preschool and to improve literacy instruction in early grades.

But she says that doesn't mean she's giving up on full funding for Mississippi's school funding formula.

Wright, who was named to lead the state's K-12 schools last year, made her presentation to the House Appropriations Committee Tuesday.

Lawmakers would have to allot $2.35 billion to pay the amount called for by the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, which is supposed to provide enough money for the state's 151 districts.

Wright also emphasized the need to expand Mississippi's fledgling program to provide state funds to local groups that operate prekindergarten classes. The Department of Education is seeking to double that money to $6 million in the 2015 budget.