PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island was one of two states to satisfy all 10 of the updated quality benchmarks for state-funded preschool education set by the National Institute for Early Education Research in the organization’s “State of Preschool Yearbooks” for 2016.
The only other state to satisfy all of the updated benchmarks was Alabama.
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The report focused on state-funded preschool programs’ standards such as requirements to qualify as a preschool teacher, teacher-to-student ratios, class size, professional-development programs, classroom monitoring, and curriculum-selection process.
The report said that in 2016, 23 percent of cities and towns in Rhode Island offered a state program preschool, which enrolled 594 children. Nationwide, state-funded preschools enrolled 1.5 million in 2016, an all-time high.
In Rhode Island, 2016 funding for state preschools reached $3.95 million, an increase of approximately $1 million from 2015. State funding per child was estimated to reach $6,650. Combined with the federal Preschool Development Grant Rhode Island was awarded in 2016, funding per student was estimated to reach $10,506, No.3 in the nation for all-reported resources for state-funded preschools.
While Rhode Island satisfied all the NIEER benchmarks, the institute warned this does not necessarily translate into successful programs. “States meeting current benchmarks should be proud of their accomplishments,” said NIEER Director W. Steven Barnett in an accompanying press release. “Simply meeting the benchmarks does not guarantee children are receiving a high-quality classroom experience. Research indicates most states need to do more to ensure high quality for every child.”
The report also stressed the need for an expansion of enrollment in the state. Rhode Island reportedly enrolls only 5 percent of 4-year-old children in the state while the national average of state enrollment of 4-year-old children is 32 percent.
According to Barnett, the institute sees, “Rhode Island making slow progress on enrollment while maintaining policies to support a high-quality program.” Barnett said “more work is needed to expand access to high-quality pre-K that helps children get the best possible start in life.”
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
