Quality Early Learning Yields Impressive Results
Broad Acres Elementary School (Montgomery County Schools, Maryland) faced the threat of state takeover in 2000. That year, only 11.8% of its third graders scored proficient on state reading tests and only 5.3% achieved proficiency in math.
In 2009, more than 60% of Broad Acres’ third graders were proficient in reading and math.
What changed?
The school adopted a new approach that focuses on early learning, including pre-kindergarten, and promotes strong alignment between pre-kindergarten and each of the primary grades.
Source: New America Foundation
View interview with Dr. Jerry Weast, Superintendent of Montgomery County Schools
(7 minutes)
A number of programs focus on ensuring that Mississippi children develop the skills they need for success in school.
Mississippi Programs:
Mississippi Building Blocks
Mississippi Child Care Quality Step System
Mississippi Child Care Resource & Referral System
Mississippi Child Care Collaborative Grant
Federal Programs:
Pre-k in Public Schools:
A number of Mississippi’s public school districts offer pre-kindergarten classes for 4-year-old children. These are funded primarily with federal Title I dollars, though legislation passed in the 2009 Legislative Session allows districts to use any available funds for these voluntary programs.
