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Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Program Overview and Update

May 2008

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Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)Overview of Presentation

UPK Background and Pilot Goals

Summary of FY07 and FY08 Grants

FY08 UPK Highlights

FY09 Expansion Priorities

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UPK Background

FY07 budget provided $4.6 million in funding for pilot implementation grants for Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)

FY08 budget provided increase of $2.5 million for UPK (Total=$7,138,739)

UPK Pilot Approach Build on strengths of existing mixed

system Address quality first

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UPK Pilot Goals

Define measurable quality characteristics that lead to school readiness

Enhance quality of services for children in UPK classrooms and especially for children at-risk of school failure

Ensure programs are effectively measuring and supporting children’s progress across all developmental domains

Support programs in reaching UPK quality standard in future years

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UPK Pilot Components

Classroom Quality GrantsGrants to programs with preschool

classrooms/settings that meet all UPK quality criteria

Assessment Planning GrantsGrants to programs to implement

developmentally appropriate assessment to position them for participation in UPK in future

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UPK Grant Eligibility Criteria

*The four EEC-selected assessment tools include: Work Sampling, High Scope Child Observation Record (COR), Creative Curriculum Developmental Continuum, and Ages and Stages. Assessment planning grantees have to meet all quality criteria, except for the use of an EEC approved assessment tool for at least one year. **NEASC included in FY08 accreditation options.

Criteria FY07 FY08

EEC Licensed or License-Exempt Use one of four EEC-selected assessment tools for at least one year*

Use Early Childhood Program Standards For Three and Four Year Olds and Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences

Have teacher/provider with BA in each UPK classroom/setting

Or

Used as selection priority

Have National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation or National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) accreditation or a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential for family child care

**

Serve or willing to serve subsidized children Provide access to full-day full-year services directly

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UPK Classroom Quality GrantsAt a Glance

FY07 250 eligible applications with 540 classrooms

$12.8 million to fully fund 131 selected UPK sites with 187 classrooms/homes

$4.3 million annualized in grant awards Grants renewed in FY08 subject to ongoing

eligibility

FY08 (in addition to renewal grants) 190 eligible applications with 570 classrooms

$13.6 million to fully fund 105 selected UPK sites with 132 classrooms/homes

$2.5 million annualized in grant awards

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UPK Classroom Quality GrantsHow Quality Grants Are Spent

Staff compensation increases Professional development New educational materials Enrichment activities Accreditation support Implementation of assessment system

including materials, trainings, and IT Additional services to meet children’s

physical, social, and emotional needs Provide access to full-day full-year

services

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UPK Assessment Planning GrantsAt a Glance

FY07 400 eligible programs

$2.5 million to fully fund 60 selected agencies with 162 programs

$1.38 million in grant awards

FY08 496 eligible programs

$3.1 million to fully fund 67 selected agencies with 288 programs

$1.1 million in grant awards

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UPK Assessment Planning GrantsHow Planning Grants Are Spent

Funds used to implement one of the four EEC-approved assessment tools

Grants spent to help implement assessment system: Training for administrators and staff

• Most trainings organized at program level IT equipment Materials and supplies On-line assessment system Other professional development activities

related to conducting observations and assessments

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FY08 UPK Highlights

Convened UPK Working Group to discuss program priorities and policy development

Assessment infrastructure development New grants Training and technical assistance Materials

Overseeing UPK evaluation

Continuing strategic planning for phase-in of UPK

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FY09 Expansion Priorities

• Expand quality grants• Reach additional classrooms for “full

program” awards (note: ~$4.5M unfunded pre-k classrooms at current UPK sites)

• Expand to more programs (note: ~11M in unfunded applications in FY08)

Expand assessment and other planning supports to set solid foundation for future quality

Define and pilot community-wide initiative(s) consistent with state-wide goals and priorities