Pre-K in the South
Compared to our Southern neighbors, Louisiana is ranked 8th out of 14 for access by four year olds to pre-k, 8th for the amount of resources we are spending on pre-k, and tied for 8th for the quality of our pre-k programs, as reported by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER).
The South has led the nation in establishing and expanding high quality pre-k programs. Oklahoma’s pre-k serves 90% of all its four year olds, and has achieved a 9 out of 10 for its quality as rated by NIEER. Alabama has proposed a 175% increase in funding for its pre-k program for fiscal year 2009, and its program is rated a 10 out of 10 for its quality. Tennessee has proposed a 31% increase in funding for pre-k for the 2009 fiscal year, and its pre-k is rated a 9 out of 10 for its quality. Arkansas is also rated 9 out of 10 for the quality of its pre-k program. Florida is seeking a 3% increase in its funding for pre-k for fiscal year 2009, and it currently serves 71% of all four year olds in that state. Georgia is seeking a 4% increase in funding for pre-k, and it serves 65% of its 4 year olds, and is rated an 8 out of 10 for its quality. Similarly, West Virginia is seeking a 6% increase in funding for fiscal year 2009, and its program is rated a 7 out of 10 for its quality.
Louisiana’s pre-k programs serve approximately 60% of the 4 year olds in our state, and are rated a 7 (the 8(g) program) and 8 (LA 4 and other programs) out of 10 for their quality. However, Governor Jindal has proposed only a 1% increase in funding for the 2009 fiscal year. If Louisiana is to remain competitive with our neighboring states, we must continue to build on the early successes of our pre-k programs, and increase our support and commitment to this proven school reform solution.
For more information go to The National Institute for Early Education Research 2007 State Preschool Yearbook.