LANSING — Michigan education experts say investments in pre-K education benefit kids in and out of the classroom, as lawmakers debate whether to increase or cut funding to the Great Start Readiness Program.

More than half of Michigan’s four-year-olds are enrolled in the program, which expanded to families of all income levels this year.

“Children who’ve had this experience, they’re more ready for kindergarten, and they actually test better with literacy by third grade,” said Dr. John Severson, executive director of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators. “Anywhere that we invest in early childhood education lays a strong foundation for that child’s entire life”

Dr. Yvonne Donohoe, director of early childhood for Northwest Education Services in Traverse City, says

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