Pennsylvaina Preschool Pre-K Counts Provides Free Preschool

Governor Ed Rendell recently enacted a pre-kindergarten program, called Pre-K counts, in order to improve school success within the state of Pennsylvania. According to studies in Pennsylvania, only 31% of the children aged 3 and 4 in the state have access to quality preschool programs. Pre-K counts is aimed at at-risk children ages 3 and 4 to attend preschool programs such as Keystone Stars facilities and Head Start programs free of charge. This year $75 million is designated to improve programs and send 11,000 children to preschool.

Pre-K Counts intends to focus on at-risk children. What qualifies these students as at-risk is income up to 300% of the poverty level (which equals $61,950 for a family of four), a language barrier or a special need. One-hundred and forty grantees and 300 early learning programs are receiving funding for these programs.

The Pre-K Counts program forms a partnership between the local school districts and the preschool providers. The participating providers are required to have teachers with early childhood education. They mare also required to have small class sizes of less than 20 students per teacher and aide. The teachers will review the progress of each student individually and will issue reports. In addition, the UCLID Center at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburg will be conducting studies over the next four years in this program to find the most successful techniques in preparing students for success in school.

What makes a program like this so important? According to studies, those who attend a quality preschool program are less likely to repeat a grade and more likely to graduate high school. Students that attend preschool programs are also less likely to need special education services because, in addition to teaching reading and math, the program also teaches how to focus, follow direction and pay attention in class. According to the Governor Rendell, funding preschool programs for at-risk students could save the state up to $100 million in special education costs per year.

Programs like these are a necessity in the ever changing school climate. When many schools are failing our children, programs that give the kids an upper edge in the schools, and thereby instilling success, are key. One of the biggest complaints of kindergarten teachers is that they have to start by preparing the students just in learning how to behave in a class environment. Students that have previous school experience are better prepared to jump into academics. Hopefully, in time, the program will grow, and more at-risk students will flourish.