Report: R.I. one of best in country for quality of early learning programs

THE NATIONAL Institute for Early Education Research released its State of Preschool 2014 report, showing that 2 percent of all 4-year-olds were enrolled in state-funded pre-kindergarten. / COURTESY NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR EARLY EDUCATION RESEARCH
THE NATIONAL Institute for Early Education Research released its State of Preschool 2014 report, showing that 2 percent of all 4-year-olds were enrolled in state-funded pre-kindergarten. / COURTESY NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR EARLY EDUCATION RESEARCH

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island is one of only five states to meet all 10 standards for the youngest learners, making the Ocean State among the best in the country for the quality of early learning programs, according to the R.I. Department of Education.
The state department cited the “State of Preschool 2014” report, released Monday from the National Institute for Early Education Research. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Rhode Island has met all 10 benchmarks in the report, it said.
Institute benchmarks include having comprehensive early learning standards, significant degree and training requirements for prekindergarten teachers and assistants, strong requirements for class sizes and staff-to-child ratios, and strong requirements for screenings and referrals, meals and monitoring.
“This report confirms that we are on the path toward building a robust early learning plan for our youngest learners,” Gov. Gina M. Raimondo said in a statement. “The budget I have presented to the General Assembly commits the necessary matching funds to allow us to more than triple the number of state-sponsored prekindergarten classrooms in Rhode Island and help many more children get off to a great start in school. There is nothing more important to our economic success than thriving, well-educated kids.”
The report ranks Rhode Island fourth in the country on overall per-child spending for children enrolled in state-funded prekindergarten programs ($8,335 per child in 2014).
However, because of the limited number of seats available, Rhode Island ranks 40th based on the percentage of 4-year-olds enrolled in state-funded prekindergarten, including only 2 percent of all 4-year-old children and no 3-year-old children.
Raimondo is proposing $1 million in the fiscal 2016 budget for prekindergarten program growth. If approved, the Rhode Island prekindergarten program will expand this fall to serve 558 children in nine communities.
“It’s great news that Rhode Island is one of only five states to meet all of the benchmarks for early learning. We celebrate this accomplishment as we continue on our plan to expand the Rhode Island prekindergarten program,” Barbara Cottam, Board of Education chairwoman, said.
The report also said 17 states increased prekindergarten enrollment with Rhode Island reporting the highest increase at 63 percent.
It said the Rhode Island prekindergarten program was launched in fall 2009, and that total state program enrollment was 234 in 2014.
In 2014, Rhode Island was awarded a competitive federal preschool development grant for $2.3 million.
The report is available HERE.

No posts to display