State pre-K progam called 'major success' on The Murfreesboro Post

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State pre-K progam called 'major success'

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By: RANDY O'BRIEN, Tennessee News Service

Posted: Monday, November 15, 2010 11:10 am

NASHVILLE - Tennessee has more than 900 state-funded pre-kindergarten classes currently serving about 18,000 pupils. Pre-K is still voluntary, and the program cost $83 million last year, with $58 million of that amount coming from the state.

Tennessee Education Association (TEA) Executive Director Al Mance says the program has proven to be effective in boosting early development, and also contributes to kids' progress years down the road.

"It does increase graduation rates. It increases rates of attendance at college, and there are so many long-term impacts - both economic and social - that it's almost impossible to calculate."

Mance says the money supporting the program is well spent and gives Tennessee families a top-quality early learning program. The state is ranked fifth in the country by a national group that evaluates state-funded pre-K programs.

"We think that the program more than pays for itself in the long term. It's not going to be like a business incentive, where you put a dollar in today and you expect to get two dollars out tomorrow."

Governor-elect Bill Haslam has praised pre-K as an effective means for improving pupil performance, although because of budget constraints, it's not likely the program will be expanded to include more children. Republican lawmakers have expressed more skepticism: they say in the state budget crisis, every program is on the table to be analyzed for cuts.

Tagged under Pre-K, Schools, State, TNNS

Member Opinions:

By: DMW on 11/15/10
Many studies have shown Pre-K benefits fade out after a few years. There is a budget crisis and whether we like it or not some programs must go.

By: publius on 11/16/10
Many studies prove otherwise. Why cut our future. How about you and I pay more to prepare our kids and our future. I am 57 my kids are grown but I still remember how important school was for their success in life.

By: minnow on 11/16/10
Did you ever think about what would have happened if the child hadn't gone to preschool? They might"level out" by 3rd grade, but what would happen if they hadn't gone at all? The students who attend public school preschool NEED the program. They are children who are at-risk and need the extra guidance and socialization. It allows them to be brought up to grade level, rather than start behind in many cases.

By: DMW on 11/16/10
publius - “How about you and I pay more”
If there is a charitable organization that sends at-risk children to preschool and they can prove they are making a difference I am be willing to donate but I am not willing to give one more penny in taxes to support the Pre-K program.