Benefits of High Quality Pre-K Program

Important Aspects of High-Quality Pre-K:

• Highly Qualified Teachers
  Research shows that PreK teachers who have bachelor's degrees with specialized training in early childhood development provide the best preparation for their students' advancement to the next level.

• Low Teacher-Child Ratios
  Individual attention is important for young children. PreK classrooms need to have no more than 11 children per adult-typically, one teacher and one instructional aide for a total of no more than 22 children per classroom.

• Family Involvement in the classroom
  High-quality PreK programs involve and inform parents, incorporating them into the overall program and communicating with them about their children's progress and development on a regular basis.

Facts about High-Quality PreK:

• The most important brain development occurs before age five.

• Children in PreK show significant improvements in the development of social skills such as following directions, joining in activities, waiting turns, problem solving and relating to teachers and parents.

• Children who attend PreK are more likely to graduate from high school.

The evidence is irrefutable:

High-quality pre-kindergarten saves taxpayers money; improves children's cognitive, social and emotional skills; decreases the need for grade retention and special education services and helps to close the achievement gap. 

A National Institute of Early Education Research study found participation in PreK programs results in significantly positive effects on achievement score beyond grade 3.

Also:

• 20 percent lower rates of special education retention.

• 15 percent lower rates in grade repetition.

• PreK for disadvantaged children can increase their cognitive abilities, leading to longterm increases.