Education Law

The Pre-K dilemma: Quality or Access?

Quality or Access?

That's the question many states are asking when it comes to funding preschool programs. This article from the Boston Globe states that Massachusetts has opted to first improve the quality of the state's pre-k programs rather than expand program access to more children, despite a waiting list of 4,400 seeking state aid to attend preschool.

A major reason is limited funding, which often makes it impossible to both improve program quality while expanding access at the same time. Massachusetts' action is also in line with national studies that have shown only high quality programs can adequately prepare children for kindergarten and beyond, the article said.

That's why increased federal investment in publicly funded voluntary preschool will help states such as Massachusetts tremendously by making more resources availble for both improving quality of and expanding access to pre-k programs. Check out this analysis of H.R. 3289, the Pre-K Act, that passed the House Education and Labor Committee in June and helps states with quality programs to expand their access. NSBA and its Pre-K Legislative Committee advocated for the passage of H.R. 3289. Check out the pre-k committee here.

Full post as published by BoardBuzz: NSBA's Daily Weblog on September 11, 2008 (boomark / email).