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