Funding for pre-kindergarten programs can be a hot button issue, but research suggests that the long term effects of these programs are substantial. Currently, Texas does not require pre-kindergarten programs to be offered in every school district. The Texas Education Agency guidelines stipulate that school districts are required to offer free, half day pre-kindergarten if there are 15 or more four year olds meeting at least one of the criteria listed below:
- Cannot speak or comprehend the English language
- Is economically disadvantaged (as defined by free or reduced lunch eligibility)
- Is homeless
- Is or has been in foster care
- Child of an active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Child of a deceased member of the U.S. Armed Forces who was injured or killed while serving on active duty
As of the 2011-2012 school year there were about 225,000 children enrolled in pre-kindergarten statewide, which represents about only 10% of Texas children, ages 0 – 5. While pre-kindergarten enrollment has seen a twelve percent increase (or roughly 24,000 new students enrolled) in the last four years, there is still a gap in services. Of course there are other options for early childhood education, including private childcare centers and in-home child care. However, other options may charge tuition fees or not be of the same quality as the state-funded programs.
Research suggests that there are long term increased learning outcomes associated with pre-kindergarten programs, which may have policy implications. In March of this year, the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers – The State University of New Jersey published a study, “APPLES”, or the Abbott Preschool Program Longitudinal Effects Study: Fifth Grade Follow-Up. New Jersey is a state that is leading the way in pre-kindergarten. Their model, the “Abbott Preschool Program,” offers high-quality early education to all children in 31 cities that have high percentages of poverty. The National Institute for Early Education Research assessed the impact of that program by looking at children’s learning development outcomes.
The study focused specifically on a cohort of students who completed their 4-year old year during 2004-2005. They conducted follow-up assessments with those students, and during the 4th and 5th grade year, the study found that Abbott pre-school programs “increased achievement in Language Arts and Literacy, Math, and Science.” Furthermore, the study indicated that two years of pre-kindergarten was more impactful on achievement than only one year of pre-kindergarten, and among those who went through the Abbott program, grade retention and special education rates were lower.
In Texas, lack of funding is a major roadblock to providing these programs to all children. In 2011 the Texas Legislature made huge cuts to public education budgets, including both formula and grant funds for pre-kindergarten. In 2013 the Legislature chose to restore just $30 million of the more than $200 million cut from pre-kindergarten in 2011. Pre-kindergarten programs are half-day programs, but school districts can fund the second half of a full-day program with local funds, federal grants, or a variety of other public or private funding sources.
CHILDREN AT RISK is embarking on a year-long mixed-methods study to assess the current state of public pre-kindergarten programs in Texas and make recommendations for increasing access to pre-kindergarten statewide. The goal is to provide the research that policymakers, school districts, and community organizations need to make informed policy decisions about our children’s early years.
While policy is critical, CHILDREN AT RISK also wants to encourage parents to find out what is available to them right now. In Houston, parents should know that Houston ISD does offer pre-kindergarten to eligible children at most of its elementary schools, but they will need to call their school directly to confirm. The district also has 9 early childhood centers: Bellfort ECC, Farias ECC, Halpin ECC, Laurenzo ECC, Mistral ECC, Martin Luther King, Jr. ECC, Neff Early Learning Center, Fonwood ECC and Ashford ES. Perhaps the most important thing that parents need to be aware of is the registration period. Registration happens during the Spring semester before the academic school year begins. Everything parents need to know regarding registration and application procedures is located directly on Houston ISD’s website.
Parents can find more information about pre-kindergarten programs offered in other districts statewide at www.prekindergartenprepares.com/.