Quality Preschool Survey
March 2008
Stations, the following is
a news announcement. Suggested lead in 3, 2, 1…
(INTRO)
A new national survey shows
a wide disparity between states in the scope and quality
of preschool education programs. While Oklahoma provides
high quality pre-K to 70 percent of the state's 4-year-olds,
12 states have no state-funded pre-K at all.
W. Steven Barnett, director
of the National Institute for Early Education Research,
says America must do better.
(BARNETT)
OUR RESEARCH SHOWS THAT A
CHILD'S ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY PRESCHOOL TOO OFTEN DEPENDS
ON WHERE A FAMILY LIVES AND WHAT PARENTS EARN. CHILDREN
FROM WEALTHY FAMILIES CAN ATTEND HIGH-PRICED PRIVATE
PRESCHOOLS. THE FEDERAL HEAD START PROGRAM AND MANY
STATE-FUNDED PRESCHOOLS SERVE PRIMARILY CHILDREN FROM
LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. DISPROPORTIONATELY LEFT OUT ARE
CHILDREN FROM MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILIES. FAILING TO PROVIDE
HIGH QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN COMPROMISES
THEIR ABILITY TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE, WITH
ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES FOR OUR SOCIETY AND ECONOMY.
(CLOSE)
Nationally, most 3- and 4-year-olds
are denied access to any public preschool program, state
or federal. For more information, visit nieer.org.
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