Signup for email updates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2006
Contact:
Nathan James, Yes on 82
310-786-7441 - office
206-313-1673 - cell
New Study Gives California Low Marks for Funding Preschool
Leading Early Education Institute Finds Only 1 out of 10 Children Served by State Preschool Programs
LOS ANGELES – A nationwide study released today by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) shows that California lags behind other states in funding and quality standards for preschool education. The report demonstrates the clear need for Proposition 82, which would provide quality preschool to all children and strengthen K-12 education in California.
According to the study, only one out of ten four-year-olds in California -- about half of all eligible low-income children -- are served by the state preschool program. California spent less this year per child -- $3,218 – than it did in each of the prior three years that NIEER has tracked preschool funding.
“This new report clearly shows that California is falling behind,” said Proposition 82 spokesman Nathan James. “While other states have recognized the value of preschool and are making investments in quality preschool education, California has remained on the sidelines. Nothing is more important to improving our K-12 education system than ensuring that all children have access to preschool and enter kindergarten ready to learn.”
Key Findings
--Access: California ranks 19th out of 38 states that fund preschool in the percentage of four-year-olds enrolled (at 10.9%). The top states -- Oklahoma (68.5%) and Georgia (54.6%) – both have publicly-funded universal preschool programs. California also lags behind Texas, West Virginia, South Carolina, Kentucky, Louisiana, Kansas, and Arkansas in enrollment.
--Quality: State preschool meets only four out of ten key indicators of quality. These standards ensure that preschool programs lay the foundation for success in kindergarten and beyond. California does not meet requirements for class size limits or teacher education. Seventeen states require that preschool teachers have a college degree – a key component of Proposition 82.
--Funding: Funding for state preschool programs has declined $2.1 million (adjusted for inflation) in the three years from 2001-2002 to 2004-2005. In addition, per child funding has decreased by $208. Proposition 82 would fully fund quality preschool programs for all children.
The full report, “The State of Preschool: 2005 State Preschool Yearbook,” is available from the NIEER website.
Recent research on preschool shows advantages not only for children, but also for society as a whole. A 2005 study by the RAND Corporation found that the benefits of a universally available preschool program in California would greatly outweigh the costs. Economists estimated that every dollar invested in quality preschool would generate $2.62 in savings to California’s schools, criminal justice system, and through increased tax revenue to state and local governments.
Proposition 82 will provide a high-quality, voluntary preschool education for every four-year old in California. The initiative provides teacher training and raises standards for preschool teachers. It will build on the existing network of preschools, allowing parents to choose the preschool program that is right for their family. For more information about Prop. 82, visit: http://www.YesOn82.com.