State-Funded Pre-Kindergarten in Vermont: The Landscape of Enrollment During the First Year of Implementation

• In Event: Exploring the Impacts of U.S. Pre-K and Kindergarten Policies

Abstract

Vermont provides state-funded preK to all 3 to 5 year olds through a mixed-delivery system. This study describes the enrollment rates of children with different characteristics who enrolled in different types of preK programs in the first year of implementation (2016/17). Overall, these findings indicate higher proportions of higher-needs students enrolled in public school programs compared to private programs, enrolled in five-star programs compared to three- or four-star programs, and enrolled in programs within the geographic boundaries of their local education agency compared to outside of their catchment area. Findings have been presented to the House and Senate Education Committees and are being used to help inform the state as they make changes to their universal preK legislation, Act 166.

Authors

• Clare Waterman Irwin, Education Development Center, Inc.

• Kyle DeMeo Cook, St. John's University

• Audrey Gallo, Education Development Center, Inc.