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There is a lot of great coverage on the importance #earlyed access recently, but I have to disagree with today& #39;s piece in @USATODAY by @kbstevens on @JoeBiden’s plan for #preK. https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/08/03/biden-universal-preschool-education-plan-parent-involvement-column/5538912002/.">https://www.usatoday.com/story/opi... 1/
It argues that universal preK isn& #39;t the way to help vulnerable children. But @JoeBiden’s plan goes MUCH further than #preK. That& #39;s just 1 paragraph in a detailed plan on #childcare for 0-5 (access & quality), #ECEworkforce, infrastructure (here& #39;s more: https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/biden-child-care-crisis/)">https://www.newamerica.org/education...
It oversimplifies 2 studies ( #HeadStart Impact & TN preK) to conclude pre-K doesn’t help kids long-term. In both studies kids who attended pre-K outperformed those who didn’t at year end. Quality was found to be inconsistent across both programs & neither program is universal.
Pre-K is not an inoculation. Good preK must be followed by quality K-3. @NewAmericaEd has written many posts on TN preK since 2015. Most recent explains 2019 follow-up by same researchers finding preK kids with strong K-3 teachers DID sustain gains: https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/new-lessons-tennessee-pre-k-and-what-comes-next/">https://www.newamerica.org/education...
Keep in mind there are MANY other studies on preK showing short and long-term benefits. Check out those on the impact of preK in OK, GA, Montgomery County, Boston, NJ, and WV --just to name a few. Or this review of 20+ preK programs from @LPI_Learning: https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/untangling-evidence-preschool-effectiveness-report">https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/u...
The author says universal preK isn& #39;t the right approach to help the most vulnerable kids, but evidence suggests all kids benefit from economically integrated preK classrooms. Universal access doesn’t guarantee integration, but it’s 1 step. https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2018/1/26/21104214/economically-integrated-early-childhood-settings-are-good-for-kids-yet-they-are-rare.">https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2018/1/26...
The author says it is parents, not preK, that makes the difference. Well let& #39;s do more to equip parents to do their best then! Social supports & wraparound services, give them knowledge & resources to choose what is best for their families. Limiting preK access is not the answer.
TL;DR Quality preK helps prepare kids for K. All kids can benefit & those facing certain challenges often benefit more. PreK is one important piece of a larger system that supports kids. We also need #homevisiting, #childcare & strong K-3. @JoeBiden& #39;s plans address these too /END
