Pre K in Kansas

Tom Krebs

Kansas Association of School Boards

Pew Grant

• Center for Public Education (part of NSBA’s Education Foundation)

• Two-year grant, $448,000

• “…to inform local school board members, state policy makers and the general public about the benefits of pre-K education and effective pre-K policies and programs.”

• Kansas, Ohio and Texas

The campaign is designed to result in:

• newspaper editorial coverage

• districts to serve as ambassadors on effective pre-K programs

• information disseminated through NSBA networks

• presentations at national and state conferences

• large volume research downloads from the CPE Web site, and CPE-hosted webinars and discussion groups

KASB Survey Results

• 103 district responded positively

• 10 “veterans” with 15+ years

• Wide range of inception stories, services, structure and funding

• Inevitably pleased with program; consistent complaint is lack of ability to serve more students

“Veteran” programs

• Auburn-Washburn; Blue Valley; Goodland; Great Bend; Haysville; Lyons; Norton; Valley Heights; West Elk; Wichita

• Districts diverse in geography, affluence and population have programs

• All best designed to fit local needs from the closing of all other daycare facilities to a passionate vision of a staff member

Web-Based Resources

• http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/site/c.kjJXJ5MPIwE/b.2280249/k.D899/Thinking_P12_Resources_on_prekindergarten.htm

• http://www.pewtrusts.com/ideas/index.cfm?issue=26

• http://www.naeyc.org/• http://www.ed.gov/offices/OERI/ECI/

index.html

Web-Based Resources

• http://www.nwrel.org/scpd/sirs/3/topsyn3.html

• http://nieer.org/

• http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/early/edpicks.jhtml?src=qc

• http://www.educationatlas.com/early-childhood-education.html