Mixed results for R.I. in pre-K survey

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A national survey by Rutgers University ranked Rhode Island 41st among 43 states on the number of 4-year-olds enrolled in pre-kindergarten. But the state ranks among the highest in the United States for the quality of its programs.

The report, released Thursday by the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers, found that many 3- and 4-year-olds across the country still lack access to high-quality preschool despite modest gains in enrollment and funding. The "State of Preschool Report" looked at state-funded preschools based on 10 standards, including class size, student-to-teacher ratio, and length of instruction.

In Rhode Island, the study said preschool enrollment was up slightly, to a total of 304 4-year-olds in 2014-15.

But Elizabeth Burke Bryant, executive director of Rhode Island Kids Count, a child advocacy organization, said the state's enrollment has actually risen to 594 children this year and is expected to grow to 1,008 children in 2016-17.

"We feel confident that given the investment the state is making in prekindergarten, [our] ranking will go up significantly in the next couple of years," Burke Bryant said.

Deputy Education Commissioner Mary Ann Snider said the report "doesn't capture the rapid expansion we've had in offering pre-kindergarten access to seven of our neediest districts."

The good news, Burke Bryant said, is Rhode Island is one of only seven states in the country to meet all of the standards set by the institute. Rhode Island also ranks third in the amount of money spent per child for preschool.

"Rhode Island is a national leader for dedicating funds to ensure a quality learning experience for every child served," said Steve Barnett, institute director. "However, much more needs to be done if every child is to have access to this opportunity."

According to Burke Bryant, Rhode Island has already made a significant commitment to preschool, starting with putting preschool funding into the school funding formula in 2010, adding $10 million over 10 years.

Rhode Island also received $50 million federal Race to the Top grant to improve the quality of preschool programs. Asked why the money wasn't used to expand the number of preschool seats, Burke Bryant said the grant was restricted to raising the quality of existing programs, including community-based programs and some federally funded Head Start programs.

More recently, Rhode Island received $19 million from the federal government to increase the number of children in preschool.

This week, the state Department of Education announced that it is adding 12 new preschool sites this fall, bringing the total number of sites to 29, providing the legislature accepts Governor Raimondo's budget. 

lborg@providencejournal.com

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