Title I Preschool.ppt

Title I Preschool Carla Garrett Title I Preschool Consultant Office of School Readiness Department of Public Instruction High Quality Preschool Is Important Intensive, high quality preschool programs close much of the early achievement gap for lower-income children (Barnett, 1998) PreK provides learning experiences that enable children to meet challenging academic standards DOE Guidance A-3 Benefits of High-Quality Early Education Increased achievement test scores Improved behavior and attitudes Decreased grade retention Decreased special education Decreased crime delinquency Increased high school graduation Increased language acquisition Important Connections are Made Prior to School-Entry 90% of brain growth occurs before kindergarten North Carolina Children Percent of Poor Children: 21.9% Percent of 3 4 Year Olds Not Enrolled in Preschool: 48.1% Percent of Poor 3 4 Year Olds Not Enrolled in Preschool: 61.8% Percent of 4th Graders Reading Below Grade Level: 70% Percent of 4th Graders Below Grade Level in Math: 60% Children’s Defense Fund 2006 NCLB: Implications for Programs NCLB set-aside and funding requirements for SEAs and LEAs As the number of schools in improvement increases, the overall amount of Title I funds available for preschool may diminish Schools may need to redirect resources to concentrate on the primary grades, in which children are being tested Alternatively, schools may recognize the importance of early learning for closing the achievement gap and may choose to invest resources in early education directly or as part of a school improvement plan Can Title I fund PreK? YES A school that is eligible for a schoolwide program under this section may use funds available under this part to establish or enhance prekindergarten programs for children below the age of 6, such as Even Start programs, or Early Reading First programs Section 1114(c) Use of Title I Funds “To be allowable under Federal awards, costs must meet the following