The Reality of Opportunity: Providing Pre-kindergarten to At-risk Children

• In Event: 523 - Section on Sociology of Education Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 20. Early Education

Abstract

In light of the 50th anniversary of the Coleman report, this study examines whether recent cohorts of students are experiencing equal educational opportunities. In particular, this study focuses on those educational opportunities provided to children at the start of their educational trajectories: pre-kindergarten. Given the significant focus on pre-k programs in recent years and the hope that early childhood education programs can reduce racial and ethnic disparities in student academic outcomes, this study provides an important examination of differences in educational opportunities for children, and whether these differences may be associated with disparities in academic achievement.

Author

• Erin M. Baumgartner, Rice University