Early Childhood Education

1. A Solution to School Readiness Early Childhood Education Robert Jaklich Victoria Independent School District Superintendent of Schools

2. “School is a building that has four walls – with tomorrow inside.” - Lon Watters

3. School Readiness • Defined as “a measure of how prepared a child is to succeed in school: cognitively, socially and emotionally” • Major social and environmental factors include: • Race • Culture • Disability • Poverty 2002 National Review Council

4. Prekindergarten in Texas • The Texas Preschool Program began in 1985 as part of a massive school reform. • Basic funding is currently provided but only for a child who is at least three years old and meets the following criteria: • is unable to speak and comprehend the English language; or • is economically disadvantaged; or • is homeless, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 1143a, regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent of the child, or of the child’s guardian or other person having lawful control of the child; or • is the child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States who is ordered to active duty by proper authority; or • is the child of a member of the armed forces of the United States who was injured or killed while serving on active duty; or • is or has been in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing held as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code. (Texas Education Agency)

5. In Texas, 5% of three year olds attend state funded prekindergarten programs. In Texas, 46% of four year olds are enrolled in state funded prekindergarten programs. (College Board, 2012) “Children are our most valuable resource.” - Herbert Hoover

6. Support for Early Childhood Education • The number of state prekindergarten programs has doubled since 1980. • In 2006, thirty-eight states had enrolled more than one million children in prekindergarten programs. • The 2010 Current Population Survey indicated that 53% of preschool aged children were enrolled in school. This is more than double the 21% enrollment figure from 1970. (U.S. Department of Education, 2011) “The school is the last expenditure upon which America should be willing to economize.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt

7. A Look at Our Nation • Racial and ethnic diversity has increased over the past thirty years. • U.S. Census Bureau predicts continued increases in minority populations. • In 2008, 42.9% of students were eligible for free/reduced lunch. (National Center for Education Statistics) • Minority populations in large city schools have significantly increased. During the fall of 1993, breakdowns were: • Baltimore – 84% minority • Chicago – 89% minority • Houston – 88% minority • Los Angeles – 88% minority • Miami – 84% minority (IDEA P.I. 105-17 Stat 40, 1997)

8. The Changing Face of America: Predictions for Population Growth Data obtained from U.S. Census Bureau

9. A Look at Texas • During the 2001-2002 scho0l year, the number of Hispanic students surpassed the number of White students for the first time. • 2012 AIES report indicates that 60.4% of Texas students are economically disadvantaged. 50.8% Data from 2012 Texas AEIS Report

10. “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” -John F. Kennedy

11. “Access to early childhood programs for all children, especially those from lower income and ethnic minority groups helps level the playing field.” (Takanishi, 2004)

12. Research findings prove the advantages of a pre-school education reach far beyond the individual child. ALL of society benefits when children reach kindergarten “School Ready.” “Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” - Chinese Proverb

13. Prekindergarten’s Positive Outcomes • Increased school readiness • Narrowed achievement gaps • Improved academic performance • Higher self-esteem • Stronger social skills • Increased employment and earning as an adult • Increased college attendance • Fewer retentions • Reduced drop-out rates • Lower incarceration rates • Fewer referrals to special education • Reduced impact of poverty

14. Prekindergarten programs result in huge returns on investment. In fact, long-term returns are three – seventeen dollars for every dollar invested. • Savings in social programs • Greater life earnings • More taxes paid • Reduced crime • Lower incarceration rates (National Institute for Early Education Research, July 2010)

15. In Summary: Studies show that students who participate in strong early education programs are more likely to graduate in four years and take more advanced and higher level courses than students who did not attend an early education program. Quality prekindergarten programs result in students who are LESS likely to drop out of school!

16. “The question is not whether we can afford to invest in every child; it is whether we can afford not to.” -Margaret Wright Edelman