The Impact of Universal Pre-K on Child Care Providers in FWISD 2014 providing the tools for upward mobility and building a highly educated, skilled workforce.”8 Early childhood education is the most efficient way to accomplish these goals. President Barack Obama has used Heckman’s research in arguments that $1 spent on public preschool can yield $7 in long-term economic benefits by reducing crime and reliance on welfare, while boosting graduation and employment rates.9
Benchmarking: Four States with Universal Pre-Kindergarten Four states are frequently mentioned as national examples of universal pre-kindergarten policy. Those states are Georgia, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Florida. In a 2014 study by Children at Risk entitled The State of Pre-K: Realities and Opportunities in Texas, these four states were selected as the best for benchmarking based on their innovative policy decisions, dedication to improving pre-kindergarten education through building bipartisan relationships and utilizing unlikely partnerships. 10 Georgia11 In 1995, the State of Georgia established the nation’s first state-funded universal prekindergarten program for 4-year-olds with funding available through a state lottery system. Georgia’s pre-k program allows students to enroll in either public or private preschool. Pre-K programs usually operate on the regular school system calendar for the length of a typical school day. Extended-day services beyond the 6.5 hour instructional day (before- and afterschool care) may be available. Georgia independent school districts utilize public/private partnerships with private child care centers, faith-based organizations, Head Start agencies, state colleges and universities and military facilities. Georgia uses a voucher-like subsidy where money from the state government follows children to the government-certified provider of their parent’s choosing – either public or private. Enrollment is voluntary with 58% of all fouryear-old children in Georgia being served in 2013. The average annual cost per student is $3,599. Oklahoma12 In 1998, Oklahoma became the second state in the nation to provide free admission to pre-k programs for all 4-year-olds. Universal pre-k is provided through the public school system. Both half days (2.5 hours) and full-day (6 hours) are allowed. As of 2013, the program is available in 99% of school districts in the state, and 74% of all Oklahoma 4-year-olds enrolled in pre-k with an average annual cost per pupil at $3,611.
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(Heckman, 2012) (Obama, 2013)
10 11 12
(Children At Risk, 2014) (Barnett, 2013) (Barnett, 2013)
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