1. Ellen Wolock NJ Department of Education Preschool Expansion in New Jersey NJASBO April 18, 2008 New Jersey Department of Education Division of Early Childhood Education David Joye

2.  Why expand preschool programs?  Preschool programs in the Abbott districts  How are the Abbotts doing?  NJ Preschool Expansion (SFRA of 2008)  District Plans and Budgets  Questions

3.  “Intensive preschool and full-day kindergarten enrichment programs are necessary to reverse the educational disadvantages these children start out with.”  Abbott v. Burke, 1998

5.  A certified teacher and an assistant for each class;  Maximum class size of 15 students;  Developmentally appropriate curriculum;  Adequate facilities;  Coaches for teachers;

6.  Transportation, health and other related services as needed;  Support for preschool children with potential developmental and learning difficulties; and  Work with public school, Head Start and private childcare programs (with leadership by school districts)

7.  Low enrollment-19,000 out of estimated 54,000  Few certified teachers  Few teachers with bachelor’s degrees  Piecemeal curricula  Low quality, as measured by the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale

10.  74% of the 3-year-old children in the Abbott districts  87% of the 4-year-old children in the Abbott districts

11.  All teachers have a bachelor’s degree (BA) and appropriate certification.  As of December 1 of this year, the Praxis for the Preschool Through Third Grade Certificate was required.  Looking at requiring a Child Development Associate credential for teacher assistants.

12. 1= Inadequate 3= Minimal 5= Good 7= Excellent

13. In 2000, the average for Abbott preschools was 3.86 In 2007, the average for Abbott preschools was 5.03

14.  Children who attended the program performed statistically significantly better on language and math measures than those who did not.  At the end of kindergarten these differences were still observed (the 1 st grade data is nearly ready).  Children who attended preschool for two years perform nearly double that of children who do not attend preschool on measures of language and 70% better on math measures.

16.  School Funding Reform Act of 2008 ◦ Major changes to school funding. ◦ Expansion of high-quality preschool to at-risk three- and four-year olds in districts throughout the state. ◦ Preschool Education Aid  Based on projected enrollment and per pupil amount.  Adjusted for enrollment in the subsequent year. ◦ Appropriate in a special revenue fund for expenditure (restricted).

17.  All at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds to attend Abbott-quality preschool programs.  Universal preschool for 3- or 4-year-olds in “A” and “B” districts and “CD” districts with an at-risk concentration of at least 40%.  Targeted preschool in all other districts for all at-risk three- and four-year-olds.

18.  Universe calculations: ◦ Universal districts = 1 st grade times two ◦ Targeted districts = 1 st grade times two times % of free and reduced (k-12)

19.  Fully implemented over 6 years: ◦ 30,000 more children, bringing preschool enrollment to 70,000 children. ◦ Funding increases to $330 million, bringing total preschool funding for $850 million. ◦ Reach at least 90% of the eligible population in all districts within six years.

20.  Small class sizes,  Certified classroom teachers and teacher assistants,  Coaching & Mentoring: Master teachers,  Comprehensive preschool curriculum,  Social Services: Social workers, outreach programs, etc.

21.  Mixed delivery system ◦ In-district ◦ Providers ◦ Head Start  Send-receive, tuition, special education

22.  Per pupil amounts: ◦ Detailed line item budget data ◦ Adjustments for geographic cost differences ◦ Costs for district-wide administration of these programs is included in the per pupil amounts

23.  Three statewide costs: ◦ Provider-based programs: $12,934, ◦ In-district programs: $11,506, ◦ Head Start programs: $7,146

24.  2008-2009 is a planning year for almost all districts.  Districts must submit a five year plan for implementation of full day preschool for all eligible 3- and 4-year-olds.  Annual updates of the plan.

25.  2008-2009 Abbott budgets approved. Will not receive less $ in the future.  ECPAs not receiving preschool expansion aid will receive at least the same preschool aid as 07-08 per pupil  Districts receiving ELLI aid in 07-08 will receive the same preschool aid in 08-09 that the district received in 07-08.

26.  State aid notices went out with these figures pre-filled.  Planning year for districts receiving no preschool aid in 07-08.

27.  The School Funding Reform Act of 2008 allows Early Childhood Program Aid (ECPA) districts who feel that they are ready to expand in 2008-2009 to apply for approval from the Commissioner.

28. ECPA districts wishing to expand must:  Offer full day/full school year program,  Have teachers with at least a BA and CE, and be working toward P-3 certification,  Serve at least 20% of the eligible universe of 3- and 4-year-olds, and at least 20% of those children must be 3-year-olds,  Have 15 children in a class, with one teacher and one teacher assistant  Meet the Abbott preschool quality standards as outlined in New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:10A

29.  Plan and budget documents are being distributed, and will be due to the Division of Early Childhood Education and copied to the County Offices on May 15, 2008

30. District Plans and Budgets

31.  During late Fall 2008 and early Winter 2009, plans will be accepted  The plan will be for 5 years, and annually updated

32. 1. Estimate your universe

33. 2. Get to know the following documents:  New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:10A http://www.nj.gov/education/ece/code/  Abbott Preschool Program Implementation Guidelines http://www.nj.gov/education/ece/dap/imp_guidelines.pdf  New Jersey Preschool Teaching and Learning Expectations http://www.nj.gov/education/ece/code/expectations/

34. 3. Consider your preschool resources:  Identify staff members with the appropriate preschool experience to begin the planning process  Visit schools, private provider and Head Start sites to determine where preschool children can be served

35. 4. Get to know the preschool curricula:  High/Scope  Creative Curriculum  Curiosity Corner  Tools of the Mind  Bank Street

36. 5. Start designing the preschool plan  Administrative oversight and staffing  Recruitment and Outreach  Intervention and Support Services  Health and Nutrition Services  Family Involvement  Curriculum and Assessment  Transition  Facilities  Program Evaluation  Community Collaboration  Fiscal Oversight  Budget

37.  Statewide Preschool Needs Assessment  Curriculum Showcase  Overviews of Administrative Code and preschool implementation guidance  TA sessions on completing plans  Web site updates, Q & A

38. Our website: www.nj.gov/education/ece Dave Joye david.joye@doe.state.nj.us Ellen Wolock ellen.wolock@doe.state.nj.us Karen Nemeth karen.nemeth@doe.state.nj.us