Fulfilling the Promise? Comparing the (Differential) Impact of Pre-K on Homeless, Low-Income, and Non-Disadvantaged Children

• In Event: Critical Issues in Early Childhood Education

Abstract

The overall goal of this research was to examine the impact of PreK on homeless, low-income, and non-disadvantaged children. Through analysis of administrative and report card data from one medium-sized Midwestern School-District, we found that children experiencing homelessness are twice as likely not to participate in 4K than more affluent peers. Children homeless during 4K perform about 2/3 of a standard-deviation worse on all measures in Kindergarten than non-disadvantaged children and about 1/3 of a standard-deviation worse than children who eat free/reduced-price lunch. These differences persist through second- grade and the size of the difference does not attenuate over time, indicating that homelessness in 4K is a significant risk factor for later school success, even after families’ housing stabilizes.

Authors

• Travis S. Wright, University of WIsconsin- Madison

• Amy Taub, University of Wisconsin - Madison