Michigan’s Prekindergarten:Michigan School Readiness Program

MSRPLindy Buch, Ph.D., Director

Office of Early Childhood Education and Family Services

Michigan Department of Education(517) 373-8483

BuchL@michigan.govwww.michigan.gov/ece

Michigan School Readiness Program

• State-funded targeted PreK program for four-year-old children “at-risk” of school failure

• Risk = 2 of 25 risk factors defined by the State Board of Education in 1986

• 2005-2006 is the 21st year• Two funding streams: State School Aid and

General Fund• General principle: supplement, not supplant

MSRP Funding Streams• State School Aid Funds

– School districts only– 22,000 children in 05-06

@$3,300/child=$72.6M– Funding mechanism– District programs

• Lead Teacher requirements

– Subcontracted programs• Lead Teacher

requirements• Head Start

opportunities– Alternate funding

• School-day programs• Parenting options

• General Fund: Agency Programs– Statewide competition– Three year cycle– Head Start participation– 3,712 children in 05-06

@$3,300/child=$12.25M

Head Start-MSRP Collaboration:Opportunities

• The usual: policy, training, standards, recruitment, advisory committees…

• Direct Head Start participation in local district funding mechanism

• Options for program administration/ funding

• Early Childhood Investment Corporation– HSSCP

Head Start-MSRP Collaboration:Barriers

• Full enrollment policies• Parent choices• Teacher/associate teacher

qualifications• Comprehensive services• Level of service• Institutional silos