3-150 - Promoting School Readiness in Low-Income Children: Evaluations of Preschool Expansion Grants in Three States

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Multiple studies have documented the early emergence of the achievement gap between children from low- and middle-income backgrounds (see Reardon, 2011). Although substantial evidence exists of the benefits of early childhood programs for low-income children (e.g., Gormley, Gayer, Phillips & Dawson,2005; Weiland & Yoshikawa, 2013), there is a need for more evidence on the effectiveness of preschool programs taken to scale. In this vein, this symposium examines the benefits of preschool programs in 3 states, funded under the federal Preschool Expansion Grant (PEG).
The first paper summarizes an evaluation of Maine’s PEG. Results show gains in numerous developmental domains for three cohorts of students, potential benefits of professional development resources, as well as implementation challenges and successes. The second paper examines benefits of the PEG in Maryland. State-wide analyses documented superior performance for PEG children, compared to a matched non-PEG sample, on the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment. Preliminary results from a district-specific study, using a Regression Discontinuity Design, suggest benefits for participant children in language and executive functioning.
The final paper addresses the evaluation of the Virginia Preschool Initiative Plus (VPI+). Evidence from a regression discontinuity study indicate that VPI+ enrollment had impacts on children’s skills across each of the measured domains with particularly strong impacts on measures of early literacy skills. Taken together, the findings from these studies conducted across 3 different states document the benefits of preschool programs taken to scale in these distinct jurisdictions. These studies will be discussed in the context of early childhood policy, research and practice.

Sub Unit

• School Readiness/Childcare

Chair

• Brenda Jones-Harden, University of Maryland

Individual Presentations

• Evaluation of Maine’s Preschool Expansion Grant - Presenting Author: Linda Warren, Early Childhood Associates, Inc.; Non-Presenting Author: Lisa Sullivan, Early Childhood Associates, Inc.; Non-Presenting Author: Natasha Ramanayake, Early Childhood Associates, Inc.; Non-Presenting Author: Heather Sandstrom, Urban Institute; Non-Presenting Author: Erica Greenberg, Urban Institute; Non-Presenting Author: Shirley Adelstein, Urban Institute; Non-Presenting Author: Cary Lou, Urban Institute

• Expanding Preschool Opportunities in Maryland: Evaluating Outcomes of the Federal Preschool Expansion Grant Program - Presenting Author: Elisa L. Klein, University of Maryland, College Park; Non-Presenting Author: Brenda Jones-Harden, University of Maryland; Non-Presenting Author: Jacquelyn Gross, University of Maryland, College Park; Non-Presenting Author: Bonnie Brett, University of Maryland; Non-Presenting Author: Christy Tirrell-Corbin, University of Maryland, College Park

• The Implementation and Impacts of a Large-Scale Public Preschool Program: Evidence from Virginia Preschool Initiative Plus - Presenting Author: Erika Gaylor, SRI Education; Non-Presenting Author: Kirby Chow, SRI Education; Non-Presenting Author: Todd Grindal, SRI Education; Non-Presenting Author: Shari Golan, SRI Education