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Ellen WolockNJ Department of Education
Preschool Expansion in New Jersey
NJASBOApril 18, 2008
New Jersey Department of EducationDivision of Early Childhood EducationDavid Joye
The plan for the day 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
Why expand preschool in NJ? “Intensive preschool and full-day kindergarten enrichment programs are necessary to reverse the educational disadvantages these children start out with.”
Abbott v. Burke, 1998
The Abbott Preschool Program
Components of the Abbott Program A certified teacher and an assistant for
each class;
Maximum class size of 15 students;
Developmentally appropriate curriculum;
Adequate facilities;
Coaches for teachers;
Components of the Abbott Program
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)
Abbott Preschool Program in the beginning 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
How are the Abbotts Doing?
Enrollment (includes preschool children with special needs)
5879
19000
23530
29728
3436738000 39171
43112 43470 43,775
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
45,000
98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08
Percentage Universe Served: The Court set a marker of 90% 74% of the 3-year-old children in the Abbott
districts
87% of the 4-year-old children in the Abbott districts
Teacher Qualifications 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.
Classroom QualityThe Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (Harms, Clifford and Cryer)
1= Inadequate
3= Minimal
5= Good
7= Excellent
Classroom QualityThe Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (Harms, Clifford and Cryer)
In 2000, the average for Abbott preschools was 3.86
In 2007, the average for Abbott preschools was 5.03
How are the children doing?
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.
NJ Preschool Expansion
Preschool Expansion 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).
Preschool Expansion All at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds to attend
Abbott-quality preschool programs.
Universal preschool for 3- or 4-year-olds in “A” and “B” districts and “CD” districts with an at-risk concentration of at least 40%.
Targeted preschool in all other districts for all at-risk three- and four-year-olds.
Preschool Expansion Universe calculations:
◦Universal districts = 1st grade times two◦Targeted districts = 1st grade times two times
% of free and reduced (k-12)
Goal
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.
Abbott-quality Program Small class sizes,
Certified classroom teachers and teacher assistants,
Coaching & Mentoring: Master teachers,
Comprehensive preschool curriculum,
Social Services: Social workers, outreach programs, etc.
Abbott-quality Program Mixed delivery system
◦In-district
◦Providers
◦Head Start
Send-receive, tuition, special education
Costs 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
Costs
Three statewide costs:
◦Provider-based programs: $12,934,
◦In-district programs: $11,506, ◦Head Start programs: $7,146
Preschool Expansion 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.
District Preschool Status2008-2009
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.
District Preschool Status2008-2009
State aid notices went out with these figures pre-filled.
Planning year for districts receiving no preschool aid in 07-08.
ECPA District Expansion 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 2008-2009 District ExpansionECPA districts wishing to expand must:
Offer full day/full school year program,
Have teachers with at least a BA and CE, and be working toward P-3 certification,
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
ECPA Districts Planning to Expand 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 15, 2008
District Plans and Budgets
The Five Year Plan & Budget During late Fall 2008 and early Winter
2009, plans will be accepted
The plan will be for 5 years, and annually updated
First Five Steps
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 Guidelineshttp://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
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
What We’re Doing to Help Statewide Preschool Needs Assessment
Curriculum Showcase
Overviews of Administrative Code and preschool implementation guidance
TA sessions on completing plans
Web site updates, Q & A
Questions?
Our website: www.nj.gov/education/ece
Dave [email protected]
Ellen [email protected]
Karen [email protected]
