KENTUCKY PRESCHOOL Does it provide sufficient benefits to the educational system to fund the preschool program?

KENTUCKY PRESCHOOL

Does it provide sufficient benefits to the educational system to fund the

preschool program?

KERA - 1990

• “Since, 1990, Kentucky has mandated that public schools provide preschool to 4-year-olds who qualify for free lunch and to 3-and 4-year olds with disabilities, regardless of income.”

• Source: The Courier Journal, March 31, 2005

Kentucky Preschool Evaluation Project(Source: “Differntial Effects of the Kentukcy Preschool Program”

University of Kentucky)

• “At-Risk children and children with disabilities make significant developmental progress as a result of their participation in the preschool program.”

• These same children “continue to maintain gains throughout their primary school career.”

• “Overall development is consistently similar across all groups of children.”

Developmentally Appropriate(Source: 704 KAR 3:410 Section 4)

• Cognition• Communication• Social• Physical• Emotional Development• Creative Expression• Interpersonal Skills• Maximize Self-Management and Independence

Teacher Certification

• Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) teaching certificate

• Early Childhood Probationary certificate

• In Fall 2004, all new lead teachers hired must be hired into certified positions.

Facility Requirements

• Classroom Space: – At least 35 per square feet per child– Additional play area of 75 square feet per child

of fenced outdoor play and/or 60 square feet per child of indoor play

– Attached bathroom or be within 75 feet of bathroom

– Furniture and Play equipment should be safe and of the appropriate size

Facility Requirements (continued)

• Inclusion:– Meets the needs of children across a wide

variety of abilities in a mainstream environment

Kentucky Early Childhood Standards

• “The vision for Kentucky related to young children and their families is that all young children are healthy and safe, possess the foundation that will enable school and personal success, and live in strong families that are supported and strengthened within their communities.”

Source: Kentucky Preschool Program OutlineOctober 2003

State-Funded EnrollmentDecember 1, 2004

• Total State-Funded Enrollment 20,312• At-Risk 8,020• Disabilities 12,292

Source: KDE – “Proficiency & Beyond” Kentucky Preschool Program presentation

Preschool Enrollment Trends1994 - 2005

10,000

14,000

18,000

22,00020,312

14,896

Enrollment Trends by Group1994 - 2005

6,0007,0008,0009,000

10,00011,00012,00013,000

Disabled 3-and 4-year olds At-Risk 4-year-olds

Other Enrollment (Not State funded))

Non-Eligible Children Enrolled

2,453

2,531

2,355

2,6532,850

2,693

2,9993,286

3,118

2,778

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

Preschool Classrooms2003 - 2004

4 Hr2%

4 - 6 Hr7%

6 Hr24%

3 Hr43%

3.5 Hr24%

Kentucky Preschool Allotment1994 – 2006 (in millions)

$51.6

$51.6

$44.8

$46.9$46.2

$47.0

$40.0

$45.3

$39.2$37.0

$38.1$37.0

$-

$10.0

$20.0

$30.0

$40.0

$50.0

$60.0

Per Child Preschool Rates

2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06

At-Risk $2,505 $2,241 $2,170 $2,291 $2,150

Speech/Language $2,639 $2,353 $2,279 $2,405 $2,258

Developmental Delays $3,403 $3,317 $3,038 $3,207 $3,011

Severe/Multiple Disabilities

$5,565 $4,257 $4,257 $4,353 $4,086

Source: The Courier-Journal, March 31, 2005

Preschool Rates (Incomplete)

$2,358

$2,415

$2,475

$2,547

$2,599

$2,633

$2,715

$2,285

$2,182 $2,170

$2,206

$2,246

$2,505$2,241

$2,170

$2,291

$2,150

If real SEEK rate is used. Actual rate used.

Local Contributions (Estimate)

$10.1

$11.8

$12.1

$15.0

$20.0

$19.4

$23.5

$-

$5.0

$10.0

$15.0

$20.0

$25.0

(in

mill

ion

s)

Headstart vs. State-Funded Preschool

• Federally Funded

• Began in 1965

• Similar Mission

• Offers more comprehensive services

• Associate Degree for Lead Teachers

• Headstart Classes Must Fill Before State-Funded

• State and Locally Funded

• Began in 1990 – KERA

• Serves at-risk and disabled 3- and 4-year-olds

• Health and Social Services Are Provided

• From 2004, Lead Teachers Must Be Early Childhood Education Degree

Headstart Allotment for Kentucky

Future Challenges

• Funding:– Salaries– Transportation– Supplies, equipment, and computers– Special services

• Teacher Credentials• Classroom/Instructional

– Class configuration– Collaborative partnerships– Transition– Integration of children with disabilities– Child find, recruitment, and screening

Sources Used

• Dr. Annie Rooney French, KDE

• Mrs. Annette Bridges, KDE

• Dr. Barbara Singleton, KDE

• Mr. Earl Trevor, KDE/Headstart

• KDE website – www.education.ky.gov

• The Courier-Journal