“Preschool Expansion in New Jersey’s Public Schools” Ellen Wolock NJ Department of Education Regional Meetings April 2008 New Jersey Department of Education Division of Early Childhood.
Download ReportTranscript “Preschool Expansion in New Jersey’s Public Schools” Ellen Wolock NJ Department of Education Regional Meetings April 2008 New Jersey Department of Education Division of Early Childhood.
“Preschool Expansion in New Jersey’s Public Schools” Ellen Wolock NJ Department of Education Regional Meetings April 2008 New Jersey Department of Education Division of Early Childhood Education Ellen Wolock David Joye Why expand preschool programs? Preschool programs in the Abbott districts How are the Abbotts doing? NJ Preschool Expansion (SFRA of 2008) District Plans and Budgets Questions “Intensive preschool and full-day kindergarten enrichment programs are necessary to reverse the educational disadvantages these children start out with.” Abbott v. Burke, 1998 High-quality preschool has been shown to: dramatically raise children’s abilities at school entry, increase early and later achievement test scores, reduce grade repetition and placement in special education, and boost graduation rates. High/Scope Perry Preschool study (Schweinhart et al., 1993; Barnett, 1996) Abecedarian study (Ramey et al., 2000; Ramey & Campbell, 1984; Campbell et al., 2002) Chicago Child-Parent Center study (Reynolds, 2000). Program group No-program group Earn $2,000 + monthly 29% 7% 36% Own home 13% 41% Never on welfare as adult 0% Source: 20% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Schweinhart, Lawrence J., Weikart, David P. Lasting Differences: The High/Scope Preschool Curriculum Comparison Study Through Age 23 Program group No-program group 65% Employed (n.s.) In Higher Education 50% 40% 20% 67% Skilled Job 0% Source: 40% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Barnett, W.S. National Institute for Early Education Research Program group No-program group 50% HS Graduation 39% 14% Special Education 25% 23% Grade Repeater 38% 17% Juvenile Arrest 0% Source: 25% 10% 20% Barnett, W.S. National Institute for Early Education Research 30% 40% 50% 60% A certified teacher and an assistant for each class; Maximum class size of 15 students; Developmentally appropriate curriculum; Adequate facilities; Full-day (6 hour educational day), 180-day program; Coaches for teachers; Transportation, health and other related services as needed; Support for preschool children with potential developmental and learning difficulties; and Work with public school, Head Start and private childcare programs (with leadership by school districts) Low enrollment-19,000 out of estimated 54,000 Few certified teachers Few teachers with bachelor’s degrees Piecemeal curricula Low quality, as measured by the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale 1. Developed Program Guidelines and Standards for all components 2. Used a Continuous Improvement Cycle to ensure Implementation Measure and Assess Progress Analyze and Plan Implement – Professional Development and Technical Assistance Performance assessment to drive instruction (expectations/standards-based) Appropriate use of screening tools Outside evaluations of the impact of the program on children’s development and learning Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) Supports for Early Literacy Assessment Preschool Classroom Mathematics Inventory Supports for English Language Learners Classroom Assessment Curriculum implementation tools Self Assessment Validation System (SAVS), based on the Abbott Preschool Program Implementation Guidelines. District-administered evaluations of classroom environments, activities, interactions, ELL supports, math, literacy practices. 43112 43470 43,775 45,000 38000 39171 40,000 34367 35,000 29728 30,000 23530 25,000 19000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5879 5,000 0 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 74% of the 3-year-old children in the Abbott districts 87% of the 4-year-old children in the Abbott districts All teachers have a bachelor’s degree (BA) and appropriate certification. As of December 1 of this year, the Praxis for the Preschool Through Third Grade Certificate was required. Looking at requiring a Child Development Associate credential for teacher assistants. 1= Inadequate 3= Minimal 5= Good 7= Excellent In 2000, the average for Abbott preschools was 3.86 In 2007, the average for Abbott preschools was 5.03 space & furnishings averages: 3.73 (2000) 4.90 (2007) personal care averages: 3.98 (2000) 4.30 (2007) language & reasoning averages: 3.74 (2000) 5.08 (2007) activities averages: 3.18 (2000) 4.62 (2007) Interactions averages: 4.47 (2000) 6.16 (2007) program structure averages: 3.86 (2000) 5.41 (2007) parents and staff averages: 4.59 (2000) 5.38 (2007) Children who attended the program performed statistically significantly better on language and math measures than those who did not. At the end of kindergarten these differences were still observed (the 1st grade data is nearly ready). Children who attended preschool for two years perform nearly double that of children who do not attend preschool on measures of language and 70% better on math measures. School Funding Reform Act of 2008 ◦ Major changes to school funding. ◦ Expansion of high-quality preschool to at-risk three- and four-year olds in districts throughout the state. ◦ Preschool Education Aid Based on projected enrollment and per pupil amount. Adjusted for enrollment in the subsequent year. ◦ Appropriate in a special revenue fund for expenditure (restricted). All at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds to attend Abbott-quality preschool programs. Universal preschool for 3- or 4-year-olds in Targeted preschool in all other districts for “A” and “B” districts and “CD” districts with an at-risk concentration of at least 40%. all at-risk three- and four-year-olds. Universe calculations: ◦ Universal districts = 1st grade times two ◦ Targeted districts = 1st grade times two times % of free and reduced (k-12) Fully implemented over 6 years: ◦ 30,000 more children, bringing preschool enrollment to 70,000 children. ◦ Funding increases to $330 million, bringing total preschool funding for $850 million. ◦ Reach at least 90% of the eligible population in all districts within six years. Small class sizes, Certified classroom teachers and teacher assistants, Coaching & Mentoring: Master teachers, Comprehensive preschool curriculum, Social Services: Social workers, outreach programs, etc. Mixed delivery system ◦ In-district ◦ Providers ◦ Head Start Send-receive, tuition, special education Per pupil amounts: ◦ Detailed line item budget data ◦ Adjustments for geographic cost differences ◦ Costs for district-wide administration of these programs is included in the per pupil amounts Three statewide costs: ◦ Provider-based programs: $12,934, ◦ In-district programs: $11,506, ◦ Head Start programs: $7,146 2008-2009 is a planning year for almost all districts. Districts must submit a five year plan for implementation of full day preschool for all eligible 3- and 4-year-olds. Annual updates of the plan. 2008-2009 Abbott budgets approved. Will not receive less $ in the future. ECPAs not receiving preschool expansion aid will receive at least the same preschool aid as 07-08 per pupil Districts receiving ELLI aid in 07-08 will receive the same preschool aid in 08-09 that the district received in 07-08. State aid notices went out with these figures pre-filled. Planning year for districts receiving no preschool aid in 07-08. The School Funding Reform Act of 2008 allows Early Childhood Program Aid (ECPA) districts who feel that they are ready to expand in 2008-2009 to apply for approval from the Commissioner. ECPA districts wishing to expand must: Offer full day/full school year program, Have teachers with appropriate certification, Serve both 3- and 4-year-old children, Serve at least 20% of the eligible universe of 3- and 4-year-olds, and at least 20% of those children must be 3-year-olds, Have 15 children in a class, with one teacher and one teacher assistant Meet the Abbott preschool quality standards as outlined in New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:10A Plan and budget documents are being distributed, and will be due to the Division of Early Childhood Education and copied to the County Offices on May 30, 2008 District Plans and Budgets During late Fall 2008 and early Winter 2009, plans will be accepted The plan will be for 5 years, and annually updated 1. Estimate your universe 2. Get to know the following documents: New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:10A http://www.nj.gov/education/ece/code/ Abbott Preschool Program Implementation Guidelines http://www.nj.gov/education/ece/dap/imp_guidelines.pdf New Jersey Preschool Teaching and Learning Expectations http://www.nj.gov/education/ece/code/expectations/ 3. Consider your preschool resources: Identify staff members with the appropriate preschool experience to begin the planning process Visit schools, private provider and Head Start sites to determine where preschool children can be served www.njaccrra.org 4. Get to know the preschool curricula: High/Scope Creative Curriculum Curiosity Corner Tools of the Mind Bank Street 5. Start designing the preschool plan Administrative oversight and staffing Recruitment and Outreach Intervention and Support Services Health and Nutrition Services Family Involvement Curriculum and Assessment Transition Facilities Program Evaluation Community Collaboration Fiscal Oversight Budget Statewide Preschool Needs Assessment Curriculum Showcase Overviews of Administrative Code and preschool implementation guidance TA sessions on completing plans Web site updates, Q & A Our website: www.nj.gov/education/ece Dave Joye [email protected] Ellen Wolock [email protected] Karen Nemeth [email protected]