How Wisconsin School Districts Adapted 4K Instruction and Supported Families During the Pandemic: Preliminary Findings

• In Event: Issues in Childcare and Early Education in the United States

Abstract

This paper presents preliminary findings from a study of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on Wisconsin’s four-year old kindergarten (4K). Using an ecological perspective, our full study - conducted from July 2020 to July 2021 - includes a statewide survey of district 4K administrators, a survey of 4K teachers, and interviews with over 100 teachers and parents in eight sample districts to understand how the pandemic impacted 4K program provision, support and learning. This paper presents findings from the 4K administrator survey. Teacher survey and teacher and parent interview findings will be integrated before AERA 2022. While previous research has explored the pandemic’s impact on child care and K-12 education, PreK has received little attention. This study addresses this gap.

Authors

• Jonathan Marino, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Amy Claessens, University of WIsconsin - Madison

• M. Elizabeth Graue, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Jiyeon Lee, Oregon State University

• Xiaopei Yang, University of Wisconsin - Madison