Prekindergarten-Child Care and Early Childhood Education

Prekindergarten

Prekindergarten programs have grown dramatically over the last two decades with almost two dozen states launching or expanding programs in the 1990s. With the passage of No Child Left Behind, states are reconsidering how to close the achievement gap and improve student performance. Research indicates that high-quality prekindergarten programs can have long-lasting effects on the success of children both in school and beyond. Parent demand for prekindergarten programs has increased. Currently, more than half of children ages 3 to 5 but not yet in kindergarten were enrolled in some form of prekindergarten, totaling more than 4.3 million children in the United States.

In 2007, 36 states are expected to increase funding for prekindergarten programs, totalling over $500 million. State lawmakers have been debating a variety of policy options to address the demand for prekindergarten programs, the need for children to be prepared for school, and the push for more coordination and alignment of early childhood education programs. Policymakers are considering state and local administration issues; service delivery through schools and/or community providers; design elements such as eligibility, hours and days of the program; use of standards such as class size and teacher-to-student ratios; evaluation of programs; student assessment; and financing. States are in the process of testing a variety of new strategies and taking next steps to expand programs even within tight fiscal environments.

NCSL’s capacity to assist state legislatures is funded through a generous grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts, Advancing Quality Pre-K for All initiative. NCSL's prekindergarten focus includes convening legislators in various forums to learn the latest research and policy examples; publishing and distributing information; identifying and supporting legislative leaders; and providing technical assistance to state legislators on all prekindergarten issues through timely responses to requests for information and in-state testimony or facilitation. Please contact Steffanie Clothier for more information.

Resources

Prekindergarten Legislative Update 2008

During the 2008 legislative session, at least 32 states and the District of Columbia introduced over 150 pieces of legislation on preschool, including bills to expand eligibility, increase or decrease funding, promote higher quality, support teachers, and establish early learning councils. This document provides an overview of proposed state legislation in these areas. Some state legislatures have completed their sessions and a few enacted bill examples are provided in this update. Click here to view the document.

Article Highlights State Investments in Pre-k

An article published in NCSL's State Legislatures magazine, Preschool Rocks: Policymakers Around the Country are Investing in Preschool, focuses on recent funding efforts by states to expand pre-k. Read the full article here at http://www.ncsl.org/magazine/articles/2007/07SLJan07_Preschool.pdf.

The Preschool Promise

This article, in NCSL's State Legislatures Magazine, highlights research and state legislative initiatives in Arkansas, Illinois and Massachusetts. The full article can be found here at http://www.ncsl.org/programs/pubs/slmag/2005/05SLJun_Preschool.pdf .

Effective Strategies for Prekindergarten Expansion: Collaboration with Community Providers

This NCSL policy brief examines the benefits and challenges of implementing a mixed delivery system for prekindergarten that incorporates not only school-based providers but also non-school or community providers. State statutory approaches and best practices in states are also described. View the full brief here at http://www.ncsl.org/print/cyf/effective_strategies.pdf.

State Legislative Activity on Pre-K

To find state legislative action in 2007, 2006, and 2005 - visit our Legislation Page.

Early Education in the States: A Year in Review: 2004

Comprehensive new NCSL report on state legislative actions on prekindergarten and child development. Find out what state legislatures are doing and pick up new ideas for your state. This publication is online at http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/prekreport.htm.

New Research: Early Education as Economic Investment

Learn about recent research on the return on investment in early education and the long-term benefits of early care and education. This publication is online at http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/economic.htm.

Pre-k Meetings
To find materials and resources from NCSL's pre-k meeting sessions and recent legislative institute, please visit our Meetings page.

Useful Links

National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER)
Pre-K Now
The Pew Charitable Trusts
The Foundation for Child Development

NOTE: NCSL provides links to other Web sites from time to time for information purposes only. Providing these links does not necessarily indicate NCSL's support or endorsement of the site.

For more information on early care and education issues, please contact Steffanie Clothier in the Denver office at 303.364.7700 or cyf-info@ncsl.org or either Sheri Steisel or Lee Posey in the D.C. office at 202.624.5400 or fedhumserv-info@ncsl.org.