Bridging the Achievement Gap Through PreschoolPolicy Recommendations and Strategies for Preschool in an
Era of DiversityJane I. Henderson, Ph.D., Executive Director
Overview
• Snapshot of California’s Diversity• Framing the Preschool Issue: Understanding
Public Opinion• Policy Recommendations: Preschool for All
(and other strategies) to Close the Achievement Gap
California’s Diversity
Framing the Preschool Issue:
Understanding Public Opinion About the Achievement Gap
and Preschool
Understanding Attitudes and Beliefs About Preschool
• First 5 California surveyed California parents, opinion leaders and the general public about school readiness and preschool
• Helped conceptualize and design a preschool system responsive to Californians’ diverse attitudes, beliefs and cultural norms
Californians Value Early Learning• A majority of parents feel that
preschool is very important for their children’s development and later success in school
• This sentiment is strongest among Latino, African American and low income parents
Parents Understand the Benefits of Preschool
• Two-thirds believe universal preschool is a priority– 79% of African Americans– 80% of Latinos
• Nearly half of those surveyed believe organized education should start no later than age 4– 56% of Latinos– 64% of African Americans– 62% of all parents in the younger age group
Parents Believe Preschool Can Strengthen the K-12 System
• Majority of parents with children under 5 think the state is not doing enough to provide access to quality preschool
• Respondents believe universal preschool will make K-12 more successful by helping children feel more self-confident and positive about learning
Californians Believe the State Should Level the Playing Field
• Majority said access to preschool is a serious or very serious problem for low-income and working-class families
• Two-thirds think universal access to preschool would create a more level playing field
Californians Believe the State Should Fund Preschool
• Four out of five Californians say the state should fund preschool in some way
Building Demand For Preschool
• Findings show that it is possible to make Preschool For All (PFA) a reality
• Findings show that the public is most responsive to preschool when seen as a part of public education, as an an education reform strategy and as a way to close the achievement gap.
Preschool for All to Close the Achievement Gap
Policy RecommendationsAnd Strategies
Create System of Early Care and Education for All Children
• …with Preschool For All (PFA) as the basic building block of early care and education
• …based on a common core of high quality standards for all children
• …that creates greater equality of opportunity for all children
Embed Preschool For All in the Public Education System
• Develop a Master Plan for Education that includes preschool
• Align preschool and elementary learning standards and curricula; ensure developmental appropriateness
• Create a continuum of early childhood education programs from preschool through 3rd grade
Embed Preschool For All in the Public Education System
• Over time, require preschool teachers to have a B.A. and a credential; compensate them on a par with K-12 teachers
• Make preschool available in a variety of settings that meet high quality standards (school linked and school based)
Provide Additional Support for High Need Communities
• In addition to providing Preschool for All, target additional support services to high need communities (First 5’s School Readiness Initiative)
• At the same time, encourage social mix, avoid isolating high need children
• If funds are limited, implement preschool for all first in high need communities
Offer a Comprehensive Array of Family Support Services
• Support programs such as family literacy that promote family involvement
• Coordinate preschool with health and human services
• Make services available from preschool through elementary school
Promote Workforce Development
• Develop recruitment strategies for a more diverse and bilingual workforce, including offering incentives
• Focus training on cultural sensitivities/competencies
• Create preschool to grade 3 credential
Support Dual Language Learning
• Brain research shows that preschool years are optimal for dual language acquisition
• Educate workforce so that dual language learning children are not improperly diagnosed with learning delays
Include Early Diagnosis & Services for Children with
Special Needs & Disabilities• Preschool programs help
children with special needs through early screening and assessment, early identification and referrals
• Inclusive preschool can benefit children with and without disabilities
Educate, Engage Parents & Public• First 5 Outreach Strategies in California
– Kit for New Parents distributed to nearly 1 million new parents
• Available in English/Spanish; developing versions in 3 Asian languages
– Parent education through paid media• Messages focus on the importance of reading,
talking and playing with young children• Ads developed in 11 languages; messages adjusted
to appropriately address each audience
Educate, Engage Parents & Public• First 5 Outreach Strategies in California
– CBO program to use community groups to deliver messages to hard-to-reach populations
• Contracts w/165 community organizations to conduct person-to-person parent education in 11 languages
First 5 California’s Public Education
Campaign• Aims to dramatically
increase the number of people who:– Understand benefits of
voluntary preschool for all
– View preschool as the start of the formal educational continuum
– Perceive preschool as “school”
CA First 5 Steps to Close the Achievement Gap
• Understand what the public/parents want– Conduct public opinion research– Conduct town halls, focus groups to meet parent needs
• Develop statewide policy and standards– Research-based Master Plan for Education that includes preschool – State Legislation (AB 56)
• Build Preschool For All demonstration programs locally; evaluate for outcomes– First 5 PFA Demonstration Programs – Partnership with Packard Foundation
CA First 5 Steps to Close the Achievement Gap
• Support high need communities by providing extra resources that support early learning– First 5 School Readiness Initiative
• Support the development of a highly educated, diverse workforce– Provide incentive funding/tuition support– Convene IHEs to revamp curriculum and credentials; provide incentives
• Build statewide demand through media and outreach campaigns• Secure additional statewide funding
– State Budget, Legislation– Ballot Initiative