Advancing Quality Pre-K in ALL States

Sara WatsonThe Pew Charitable Trusts

Speaking of child outcomes… meet Owen Hernandez

Owen is a loveable four year old bursting with a drive to learn.

Attending a dual language pre-k in Texas was his first school experience.

A grocery store

At the beginning of the year, Owen could not write his name and his representational drawings were difficult to identify. During circle time he talked to the teacher as if he was the only child there.  He stood up and explored the classroom.  While walking in a line to the cafeteria, he wandered off into the yard.

Later, he could use drawings to represent places and things

Post-Assessment: What did you see at the fire station?

Pre-k provided Owen the opportunity to learn English and how to operate within a school setting.  He developed his vocabulary in both English and Spanish, learned how to handle a book, became adept at using the computer, drawing, writing letters, and counting.  

Advancing Quality Pre-K for All

In 2001, Pew Charitable Trusts started its initiative “Advancing Quality Pre-Kindergarten for All,” to encourage quality early learning opportunities for all 3 and 4 year olds

Public education campaigns in over half the states

In 2004, 14 states increased opportunities for pre-k In 2005, 26 states did so – half the states had Republican governors, half had Democrats

Illinois a national leader

Source: National Institute for Early Education Research, 2005

Legislative Action on Pre-K Budgets Fiscal Year 2006

Exciting Progress in 2006(in addition to Illinois)

Tennessee - increased high quality pilot by 57%

Texas – included children of military families

California – no to ballot initiative but then $100 M new money

New York – 4 years ago, governor tried to eliminate program. Now $50 M of increased funding

Massachusetts – legislature passed pre-k for all 4’s unanimously, but vetoed by governor. They’ll be back.

Louisiana – yes Louisiana – increased funding by $1.5 M

What we don’t mean by quality pre-k for all

High pressure

Low quality/only care about access

Academic only

Prek for all = same size fits all

Prek for all = every single child right now

Only 4’s

Only in schools

Ignore parents

Mandatory

Silver bullet

What we do mean

Fun – “can I go to pre-K?”

Improving quality AND access (TN)

Social/emotional development plus wrap around

Core for all plus more for at-risk

Prek for all = Goal of all, reach most, over time (Arkansas)

3’s and 4’s

Diverse settings, parent choice (NY)

Support parents too

Absolutely voluntary

Essential but not sufficient – children need other supports as well (Illinois)

What the Trusts’ initiative offers

Infrastructure of organizations Technical assistance and financial support Help with communications and messages Peer network Research including state data Help in engaging key constituencies (business,

law enforcement, K-12, seniors, physicians, media)

National Grantee Partners

Committee for Economic DevelopmentEducation Law CenterEducation Writers AssociationFight Crime: Invest in KidsHechinger Institute on Education and the MediaNational Association of Elementary School PrincipalsNational Conference of State LegislaturesNational Institute for Early Education ResearchNational School Boards AssociationPre-K Now

Bottom line...

Each state needs to make its own decisions about how to support kids and families but…

Momentum is growing – with Illinois leading the way

Many ways to start Window of opportunity is open now

For more information…

Sara Watson, swatson@pewtrusts.org, 202-552-2134

www.pewtrusts.org www.preknow.org www.nieer.org www.startingat3.org (Ed Law Center) www.fightcrime.org www.ced.orgwww.ewa.orgwww.tc.columbia.edu/hechinger