Improving Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten in Florida

In November 2002, Florida’s voters passed a constitutional amendment to offer free, voluntary pre-kindergarten (VPK) programs to every 4 year old in the state. More than 175,000 4 year olds now participate in this program, costing the state about $400 million annually. Florida started the statewide program with a tight timetable and limited budget, resulting in the state meeting only three of 10 nationally recommended standards and ranking 34th among 38 states in per pupil funding. While Florida has a solid foundation, enhancements to the current model would help Florida more fully deliver on the promise of a high-quality preschool education. The current standards and per pupil reimbursement are inadequate to deliver high-quality programs, as originally promised. And while The Movement was the lead driver in the 2012 Legislature’s requiring pre- and post-assessments for all VPK children -- an important step forward -- this is just one step toward a program of high quality.

Research

In November 2002, Florida’s voters passed a constitutional amendment to offer free, voluntary pre-kindergarten (VPK) programs to every 4 year old in the state. More than 160,000 4 year olds, or about 69 percent of the eligible population, now participate in this program, which costs the state more than $366 million annually.

Florida started the statewide program with a tight timetable and limited budget, which resulted in the state meeting only four of 10 nationally recommended standards and ranking 34th among 38 states in per pupil funding. While this provides a solid foundation, the way VPK has been designed and funded ensures Florida cannot fully deliver on the promise of a high-quality preschool education. The standards are simply too low and per pupil reimbursement is inadequate to consistently deliver high-quality programs, as originally promised.

Economic analyses document both short and long term financial benefits of investments in high-quality preschool programs – repeatedly documenting that investment in high-quality preschool education pays for itself many times over.

Studies that have followed participants well into adulthood document returns of up to $17 for every $1 invested in a high-quality preschool education. These savings come from increased school achievement and high school graduation rates, decreased child abuse and neglect, reduced reliance on public assistance, increased adult earnings, and decreased contact with the criminal justice system.

The benefits from high-quality early childhood programs are not only academic. With 90 percent of brain development occurring during the first five years of life, early learning experiences set the foundation for lifelong success.

A national research study tells us that if 100 children have reading difficulties at the end of first grade, a stunning 88 of them will still have reading problems at the end of fourth grade. Reading abilities at the end of the fourth grade are highly predictive of behavior problems, overall achievement, high school graduation, and involvement with the criminal justice system.

Experts report that children who participate in high-quality early childhood programs are more likely to exhibit self-control, have better social skills, get along better with peers, and be less disruptive in the classroom.

Dr. James Heckman, Nobel Laureate in Economics from the University of Chicago, sums up decades of research on fostering human capital as follows: “The real question is how to use the available funds wisely. The best evidence supports the policy prescription: Invest in the very young.”

Floridians recognized the wisdom of early investment when they voted to amend the state’s Constitution to guarantee every 4 year old the opportunity for a high-quality preschool experience. To fulfill the promise of this guarantee, standards and per pupil funding must be increased, leadership and capacity building must be provided, the accountability system must be revised, and the data management system must be completed.

By phasing in these recommendations over time, Florida can ensure young children start school better prepared for success – in school and in life.