Initial Implementation and Outcomes of a City-Funded Pre-K Initiative: The First Two Years

• In Event: Pre-Kindergarten Practice, Policy, and Child Outcomes

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to discuss results from the first two years of a multi-year investigation of a new city pre-kindergarten initiative, known as Pre-K 4 SA, to benefit families and early childhood educators in San Antonio, Texas. The Pre-K 4 SA goal is to provide initial implementation recommendations. Findings will be discussed which include results for more than 2,000 children indicating Pre-K 4 SA children scored statistically significantly greater than a normed sample on four outcomes including social-emotional, mathematics, literacy, and cognitive outcomes with gap closings on the remaining two outcomes (physical and oral language) in Year 1. Fidelity of implementation results will also be presented alongside Year 2 findings and provide context for outcome findings.

Authors

• Lauren Elizabeth Decker-Woodrow, Westat

• Emily A. Price, Westat