September 20, 2006 - Tennessee is getting national attention for its progress in early education.  On Wednesday, pre-k supporters learned more on what's happening in classrooms around the state.  Two years ago, Governor Phil Bredesen began his campaign to make pre-k available to more children in Tennessee.  Now there are more than 670 pre-k classrooms across the state.

The national organization "Pre-K Now" put Tennessee's efforts in the spotlight, during a coast to coast conference seen in 200 locations.  ABC's George Stephanopoulos moderated the event, aimed at giving other early education advocates ideas to push pre-k forward.

Governor Bredesen said he is not through with pre-k in Tennessee.  It's a work in progress and the governor has a six year plan to continue the expansion of pre-k.  He said, "Every year it will always be caught up in some politics.  I think there is a pretty broad feeling in the legislature on both sides of the aisle, that this is something that is desirable and good and that a lot of parents are looking for."

Now 13,000 Tennessee children are in pre-k and Governor Bredesen would like to see it available to all four year olds across the state.  Tennessee has been recognized as one of only six states in the country with high quality standards for pre-k.