Strategies for Financing Quality Preschool: The Wisconsin Model

Strategies for Financing Quality Preschool: The Wisconsin Model Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster Governors Forum on Quality Preschool Presented by NGA Center for Best Practices December 15-16, 2003 Orlando, Florida

Topics • History of Four-Year-Old Kindergarten (4K) • Children Served • Financing Model • Program Requirements • Community Approaches • Issues and Benefits • Political Considerations

History: A Constitutional Commitment to Early Education • Wisconsin made a constitutional commitment to early education in 1848 • Article X of the State Constitution called for school districts to “be as nearly uniform as practicable and free to all children between the ages of 4 and 20 years” • Wisconsin is one of three states that maintains state funding for 4K

History of Wisconsin’s Four-Year-Old kindergarten • 1856 – First private kindergarten (two-, three-, four-, and five-year-olds) • 1927 – State financial aids established for 4K • 1957 – State funding for 4K programs repealed • 1984 – State funding for 4K renewed • 1991 – 4K allowed 20% time for parent outreach • 2003 – 42% of school districts operate 4K

Wisconsin 4K in 2003 • Universal but “optional” • Shared commitment: • two-thirds state funding • one-third local funds • Promotes community approaches

Recent Legislative Action • 2001 – Legislature voted to reduce funding for districts operating 4K programs. Former Republican Governor McCallum vetoed these provisions. • 2003 – Legislature again voted to cut funding for districts operating 4K programs. Current Democratic Governor Doyle vetoed these provisions.

Children Served • 23% of four-year-olds attend 4K in 42% of state’s school districts • 16,000 children served by 180 of Wisconsin’s 426 school districts • 1,000 children are served by approximately 80 private schools in Milwaukee Parental Choice Program • 250 children are served in nine Milwaukee charter schools

Kindergarten Availability • When offered, kindergarten must be available to all children who meet state age requirements (4 years old by September 1). • Public schools are required to offer at least half day to all 5-year-olds. • Over 90% of Wisconsin public schools offer full-day 5K. • School districts have the option of offering 4K.

Revenue Estimates 2002-03 Wisconsin school districts generated an estimated $65 million in state revenues for 4K programs • $44 million in state revenue • $21 million in local revenue

State Funding Formula • Based on student enrollment • State formula counts a pupil as 0.5 full-time equivalent in membership aid if program operates: • a minimum of 437 hours per year or • 175 days, 2 1/2 hours per day

Wisconsin’s Formula—Includes Family Best Practices • A school district may receive 0.6 FTE in membership aid ifit provides 87.5 additional hours of family activities in addition to the 437 hours of center-based programming (per year)

Program Requirements • All 4K teachers must have a bachelor’s degree and an early childhood level license from the Department of Public Instruction

Reading and language arts Mathematics Social studies Science Curriculum specials – music, physical education, art, etc. Transportation Special education and related services Wisconsin Statutes Require

Wisconsin: A Local Control State • 4K is universal but “optional” • Local school boards determine: • Class size • Student-teacher ratio • Early entrance policies • Curriculum

Business and civic organizations Schools Child care Head Start Parents Recreation Other programs—Title I, special education, etc. Community Approach:Engaging the Stakeholders

Community Approach Families and their children may have options from a variety of settings: • School buildings • Community sites • At-home support

Program Delivery: Traditional School-Based Model • School district 4K teacher • 2.5 hour program • Four or five days a week • Potential for wrap-around services or transportation to after-school programs

Program Delivery: Community Models • Community sites must have licensed teacher • School district hires and pays the teacher in the community setting • A private program can hire and provide the teacher under a district contract • Statutory school requirements apply

Community Approach: At-Home Support • When parents want their four-year-old to stay at home: • Parents are linked to educational activities and/or parenting programs • Children are not counted for state reimbursement

Issues • Competition between programs • Stand-alone programs result in children moving from program to program • Half-day programs may not meet the needs of working parents

Ongoing Needs for Collaboration • Quality of curriculum in all settings • Quality of teachers • Developed model early learning standards • Improved access to preservice programs

Benefits ofWisconsin 4K Funding • More stable funding source • Community perspective — “common school for the common good” • Provides equity—available to all children in a community • Affordable to parents

Additional Benefits • Teachers with a bachelor’s or higher degree in early childhood education • Constant/stable workforce; better for children • Increased access to support services and resources

Political Considerations • Competition: 4K vs. child care centers • Conflicting values on role of family and government • Investment in early education as budget priority • Strong educational leadership by governor

Strategies for Financing Quality Preschool: The Wisconsin Model