Budget Brief: Funding 4-year-old kindergarten


Budget Brief: Funding 4-year-old kindergarten Background The success of Wisconsin's public schools is inextricably linked to the general readiness of students to learn. It is important that public education prepare each student to be a responsible citizen to the best of his or her ability. WEAC believes that every student has the right to read at the level of his/her potential and should receive the proper instruction to accomplish this goal. That is why appropriate funding for 4-year-old kindergarten and support for efforts to improve reading readiness are important. Together these efforts will provide the youngest learners with every opportunity to reach their full potential. WEAC Position in Support of 4K Funding WEAC urges the Legislature to adopt the Department of Public Instruction request to fund access to 4-year-old Kindergarten. The DPI requested funding in the 2001-2003 budget to count pupils enrolled in a 4-year-old kindergarten program on a full-time equivalency (FTE) basis for the purposes of calculating revenue limits and general school aids beginning in 2002-2003. DPI estimates that it would cost the state $2.5 million in 2002-2003 to implement this proposal. 2001-2003 Budget Negotiations While the Senate Democrats adopted the Department of Public Instruction's proposal to fund 4K, the Assembly Republicans eliminated state funding for all regular education 4k children and also removed them from the state's two-thirds funding commitment. In Wisconsin, 233 school districts participate in the 4K programs that serve 13,558 students. If the Assembly Republican position prevails at the conference committee the total hit to school districts would exceed $24 Million by 2002-2003. Talking Points 4K Provides children with the early childhood education they need to be successful in life. The High/Scope Perry Preschool Projects Study showed that early childhood education provided long term benefits to children at high risk of failing in school. This 24 year study, which tracked children who participated in high quality, early childhood programming, found the following: 71% of participants graduated from high school compared to only 54% for non-participants. 36% of participants are homeowners compared to only 3% for non-participants. 29% of participants make more than $2,000 per month compared to only 7% for non-participants. Research shows that early childhood programs such as all-day 4K work for low-income children. Full impact of program is phased in over three years. Counting pupils in 4K programs will reduces the State's need to allocate funds for the Declining Enrollment Exemption. Net fiscal impact of the initiative is estimated to be $2.5 million in 2002-2003. We cannot let partisan politics stand in the way of putting our children on the path to success early in life. We must continue to provide our youngest children with every opportunity to reach their full potential. That is why we must not allow our legislative leaders to cut funding for 4-year-old kindergarten in Wisconsin. For Additional Information Contact Bob Burke in the WEAC Government Relations Division at 800-362- 8034 ext. 254 or by e-mail at burkeb@weac.org with any reactions, comments or questions. Posted July 19, 2001

Budget Brief: Funding 4-year-old kindergarten

Background

The success of Wisconsin's public schools is inextricably linked to the general readiness of students to learn. It is important that public education prepare each student to be a responsible citizen to the best of his or her ability.

WEAC believes that every student has the right to read at the level of his/her potential and should receive the proper instruction to accomplish this goal. That is why appropriate funding for 4-year-old kindergarten and support for efforts to improve reading readiness are important. Together these efforts will provide the youngest learners with every opportunity to reach their full potential.

WEAC Position in Support of 4K Funding

WEAC urges the Legislature to adopt the Department of Public Instruction request to fund access to 4-year-old Kindergarten. The DPI requested funding in the 2001-2003 budget to count pupils enrolled in a 4-year-old kindergarten program on a full-time equivalency (FTE) basis for the purposes of calculating revenue limits and general school aids beginning in 2002-2003. DPI estimates that it would cost the state $2.5 million in 2002-2003 to implement this proposal.

2001-2003 Budget Negotiations

While the Senate Democrats adopted the Department of Public Instruction's proposal to fund 4K, the Assembly Republicans eliminated state funding for all regular education 4k children and also removed them from the state's two-thirds funding commitment. In Wisconsin, 233 school districts participate in the 4K programs that serve 13,558 students. If the Assembly Republican position prevails at the conference committee the total hit to school districts would exceed $24 Million by 2002-2003.

Talking Points

4K Provides children with the early childhood education they need to be successful in life.
The High/Scope Perry Preschool Projects Study showed that early childhood education provided long term benefits to children at high risk of failing in school. This 24 year study, which tracked children who participated in high quality, early childhood programming, found the following:
- 71% of participants graduated from high school compared to only 54% for non-participants.
- 36% of participants are homeowners compared to only
- 3% for non-participants.
- 29% of participants make more than $2,000 per month compared to only 7% for non-participants.
Research shows that early childhood programs such as all-day 4K work for low-income children.
Full impact of program is phased in over three years.
Counting pupils in 4K programs will reduces the State's need to allocate funds for the Declining Enrollment Exemption.
Net fiscal impact of the initiative is estimated to be $2.5 million in 2002-2003.

We cannot let partisan politics stand in the way of putting our children on the path to success early in life. We must continue to provide our youngest children with every opportunity to reach their full potential. That is why we must not allow our legislative leaders to cut funding for 4-year-old kindergarten in Wisconsin.

For Additional Information

Contact Bob Burke in the WEAC Government Relations Division at 800-362- 8034 ext. 254 or by e-mail at burkeb@weac.org with any reactions, comments or questions.

Posted July 19, 2001