Differing Discourses of Preschool Implementation

• In Event: Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: Public Early Childhood Education: Policy and Equity Considerations

Abstract

Public preschool represents a new era of program provision as states bring early childhood providers together to create coordinated preschool systems. However, many educators are concerned that the increasing standardization of preschool is leading to academic pushdown. Employing a policy enactment lens, this paper reports on a qualitative case study of preschool implementation in 3 classrooms in one state. Implementing preschool at the district level meant teachers and administrators were navigating multiple discourses. These included the discourse of accountability and the need to meet state requirements. In competition with accountability discourses were those that emphasized community values such as English language instruction or teachers emphases on developmentally appropriate practices.

Authors

• Sharon Ryan, Rutgers University

• Kaitlin Northey, Rutgers University