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Oregon Head Start Prekindergarten. Oregon Head Start Prekindergarten. Oregon Prekindergarten Program. Federal Head Start. The federal Head Start Performance Standards are required for both the state-funded Oregon Prekindergarten and federally-funded Head Start programs.
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Oregon Head Start Prekindergarten Oregon Head Start Prekindergarten Oregon Prekindergarten Program Federal Head Start • The federal Head Start Performance Standards are required for both the state-funded Oregon Prekindergarten and federally-funded Head Start programs. • Jointly funded grantees are administered collaboratively through a state/federal Intergovernmental Agreement.
Oregon Head Start PrekindergartenUniversal Head Start Prekindergarten • 1985 – 1988 • Oregon Head Start Association leadership works with Senator Roberts • Assists in writing legislation (SB524) with State Board of Education • The Oregon Prekindergarten Program is born – coordination, advisory, Standards, open process, more kids • 1991 – 1997 • Legislation - full funding by July 1, 1997, broader eligibility if fully funded • Oregon Head Start Collaboration Project established – Intergovernmental Agreement • OHSA hires a lobbyist – opens Association to OPK only programs • 2004-2006 • Development of Universal Head Start PreK concept • “Ready for School” contact – begin “universal” PreK discussion • 2005-2007 expansion - Gov. recommended reduction/restoration • National and State attention to Oregon’s approach
Universal Head Start Prekindergarten Initiative Concept • Top Priority – support Oregon’s poorest, youngest, most vulnerable children and families first • Next Priority – gradual support to higher income children until all children receive high quality preschool services • Service Level Saturation Point – full service declared at 80% • Possible Cost Reductions – for higher income families • Standard of Quality for All Children – Federal Head Start Performance Standards • Early Learning Guidelines – link to program standards
Universal Head Start Prekindergarten Initiative Action Steps • 2007-2009 Biennium: Increase service level from 60% to 80% (100% of poverty) • 2009-2011 Biennium: Increase income eligibility, establish service targets for population (130% of poverty) • Subsequent Biennia: Continue to increase the income eligibility until 80% service level is attained for each target population and all children are served.
Universal Head Start Prekindergarten Initiative Current Status Legislative • House Interim Task Force on Veteran’s Affairs and Head Start …..continue to work on issues related to Oregon veterans,……. and oversight of Head Start in Oregon. • Task Force – timeline, collection of information and research, preparation for legislative proposal Public/Private Partnership • Ready for School – public awareness campaign driven by a growing coalition of business, philanthropic and civic leaders and organizations. • Goal – make sure all children have access to high quality preschool, starting with the most in need.
Children’s Institute Mission • What is the best investment to make sure disadvantaged children arrive at school ready to learn? • How do we unite heart and brain and do the right thing in a smart, efficient and effective way? Business leaders and philanthropists started the Children’s Institute by asking:
Children’s Institute Information Sources: • National experts • Oregon experts • National research and best practices • Three statewide polls Our research clearlypointed us to expanding access to high-quality early childhood education. Fully funding Oregon’s Head Start Pre-K is the best first step.
Children’s Institute: Polling Would you support or oppose raising taxes to provide a pre-k program for all low-income 4-year-olds in Oregon? * Compares to 55% supporting high-risk 0-3 programs and 56% supporting universal pre-k. conducted: November, 2004 by Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall
Children’s Institute The Ready for School Campaign: • Collaboration:with Innovation Partners and Stand for Children. • Goal:make sure all Oregon children have access to high quality preschool, starting with those most in need. • Message:Oregon’s overall quality of life improves when kids get a high quality preschool education. • Tactics: • Ready for School Media Campaign • Ready for School Statewide Leaders Panel • Ready for School Speaker’s Bureau • Implementation Committee
Children’s Institute Moving Research to Action: • Fully fund Oregon Head Start Pre-K (OPK) • Support continuous quality improvement and accountability • Create “set aside” funds for proven prevention programs for 0-3 • Include high-quality pre-k in Oregon’s education dialogue and reform proposals • Convening the broader group of stakeholders on needs of children 0-5 Our Next Research Step • Explore strategies to expand access to high quality pre-k • Deepen research on investments for children 0-5