This spring the Pennsylvania General Assembly is considering a new initiative, Pre-K Counts. Pre-K Count’s is Governor Rendell’s $75 million proposal in the 2007-08 to provide approximately 11,000 3- and 4-year-olds with voluntary, high-quality pre-K delivered through a mixed service delivery system in which all providers comply with State Board of Education pre-K regulations and the state’s early learning standards. Pre-K Counts is built upon the strong research base that demonstrates for every $1 spent on high quality pre-k, a $17 return is realized in reduced education, crime and social welfare costs.
Pennsylvania currently receives a “4” on the “10” point scale. But, if we implement Pre-K Counts as proposed, we will score a 9+ and operate a high quality program designed to assure that students enter school ready to learn and prepared to succeed.
Pre-K Today is a statewide non-partisan campaign launched by a broad-based coalition fromaround the Commonwealthcommitted to efforts to advancededicated statefinancing for voluntary high-quality pre-kindergarten programs designed to assure that Pennsylvania's children enter school ready to learn and prepared to succeed.
NIEER Benchmark |
Pre-K Counts |
Does Pre-K Counts meet the NIEER standard? |
Comprehensive early learning standards |
Curriculum used in Pre-K Counts classrooms must be aligned to with Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards. http://www.pde.state.pa.us/early_childhood/lib/early_childhood/
Early_Learning_Standards_August_05.pdf |
Yes |
| Lead teachers must have a BA
| School district providers must hire lead teachers with a BA and certification in ECE, and this requirement will apply to all lead teachers in the program by December 2011. For the initial years of the program, lead teachers in Head Start and child care settings must have at least an AA in ECE or development. Programs in nursery schools must have a BA and be licensed to teach in a private academic school.
http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter4/s4.20.html |
Yes, Pre- K Counts will fully meet the standard by 2011 |
Lead teachers must have a specialization in pre-K |
See above and by 2011, all teachers regardless of provider will be required to possess a bachelor’s degree and early childhood certification |
Yes, Pre-K Counts will fully meet the standard by 2011 |
| Assistant teachers must have a CDA or equivalent |
During the initial years of the program requirements for teacher aides are determined by the requirements that govern the particular provider type.
The requirements will change with the 2009-2010 school year, when assistant teachers must have at least an AA degree, must have finished at least 2 years of college, or must have an "ability to meet a rigorous standard of quality." such as Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. |
Yes, Pre-K Counts will fully meet the standard by 2009 academic year |
| Teachers must complete at least 15 hours of in-service training each year
| Lead teachers must complete 180 clocks hours over 5 yrs of professional development that meets Act 48 requirements or earn 6 college credits per five year period. Assistant teachers must receive at least 24 hours of professional development per year. |
Yes |
| Maximum class size of 20 or lower |
The maximum class size is 20. |
Yes |
| Staff-child ratio of 1:10 or better |
The required staff-child ratio is 2:20. |
Yes |
Vision, hearing, and health screening and referral are required, along with at least 1 family support service
|
The Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards require that programs provide parents with information on medical, dental, nutrition, and mental health education programs in the community.
School district operation programs are required to provide developmental serves as well as nutritional services or referrals for pre-K students. Available here: http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter12/s12.41.html |
Yes |
At least 1 meal is offered per day
| Full-day programs must offer at least one meal and a snack, but only snacks are required in part-day programs. |
Partially |
Site visits are required |
Site visits conducted by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) are a required part of program monitoring process. |
Yes |
NIEER – TOTAL = 10 |
|
Pre-K Counts = 9+ |
