The pilot programs first launched in Robinson and Rockcastle county schools in May. Now, the initiative is taking root in Franklin County Schools and Glasgow Independent Schools.
"In Franklin County specifically, fewer than 40% of our students are ready for kindergarten and that's not acceptable," Franklin County Superintendent Mark Kopp said. "We're going to change that. We need to make sure that every student has a chance to succeed."
Republicans have questioned the cost of the pilots and whether the dollars could be spent to ease healthcare and social service cuts. Tuesday, Beshear responded to skeptical lawmakers on the other side of the aisle.
"I've seen different legislators say wait a minute you're funding pre-K for all in these areas. Why can't you use that for some of the cuts in Medicaid?" Beshear said. "Legally, under federal law, the dollars can't be used for that. They can be used for this."
Asked whether the pre-K programs might be shelved once his term is up and a new governor steps in, Beshear said he hopes lawmakers would not actively take away pre-K in the areas with programs.
GOP leaders have favored help for daycare over pre-K, saying they're hesitant to add programs that will require recurring dollars in budgets going forward.