Oregon Head Start Prekindergarten

OregonPrekindergarten

Program

FederalHeadStart

Oregon Head Start

Prekindergarten

•The federal Head Start Performance Standards are required for both the state-funded Oregon Prekindergarten and federally-funded Head Start programs. •Jointly funded grantees are administered collaboratively through a state/federal Intergovernmental Agreement.

Oregon Head Start PrekindergartenUniversal Head Start Prekindergarten

1985 – 1988•Oregon Head Start Association leadership works with Senator Roberts•Assists in writing legislation (SB524) with State Board of Education•The Oregon Prekindergarten Program is born – coordination, advisory, Standards, open process, more kids1991 – 1997•Legislation - full funding by July 1, 1997, broader eligibility if fully funded•Oregon Head Start Collaboration Project established – Intergovernmental Agreement •OHSA hires a lobbyist – opens Association to OPK only programs2004-2006•Development of Universal Head Start PreK concept•“Ready for School” contact – begin “universal” PreK discussion•2005-2007 expansion - Gov. recommended reduction/restoration•National and State attention to Oregon’s approach

Universal Head Start Prekindergarten Initiative

Concept• Top Priority – support Oregon’s

poorest, youngest, most vulnerable children and families first

• Next Priority – gradual support to higher income children until all children receive high quality preschool services

• Service Level Saturation Point – full service declared at 80%

• Possible Cost Reductions – for higher income families

• Standard of Quality for All Children – Federal Head Start Performance Standards

• Early Learning Guidelines – link to program standards

Universal Head Start Prekindergarten InitiativeAction Steps

• 2007-2009 Biennium: Increase service level from 60%

to 80% (100% of poverty) • 2009-2011 Biennium: Increase income eligibility,

establish service targets for population (130% of poverty)

• Subsequent Biennia: Continue to increase the income

eligibility until 80% service level is attained for each target population and all children are served.

Universal Head Start Prekindergarten Initiative

Current StatusLegislative• House Interim Task Force on Veteran’s

Affairs and Head Start…..continue to work on issues related to Oregon veterans,……. and oversight of Head Start in Oregon.

• Task Force – timeline, collection of information and research, preparation for legislative proposal

Public/Private Partnership• Ready for School – public awareness

campaign driven by a growing coalition of business, philanthropic and civic leaders and organizations.

• Goal – make sure all children have access to high quality preschool, starting with the most in need.

Children’s Institute

Mission

• What is the best investment to make sure disadvantaged children arrive at school ready to learn?

• How do we unite heart and brain and do the right thing in a smart, efficient and effective way?

Business leaders and philanthropists started the Children’s Institute by asking:

Children’s Institute

Information Sources:• National experts• Oregon experts • National research and best

practices • Three statewide polls

Our research clearly pointed us to expanding access to high-quality early childhood education. Fully funding Oregon’s Head Start Pre-K is the best first step.

Children’s Institute: Polling

Would you support or oppose raising taxes to provide a pre-k program for all low-income 4-year-olds in Oregon?

* Compares to 55% supporting high-risk 0-3 programs and 56% supporting universal pre-k.

conducted: November, 2004 by Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall

The Ready for School Campaign: • Collaboration: with Innovation Partners

and Stand for Children.• Goal: make sure all Oregon children have

access to high quality preschool, starting with those most in need.

• Message: Oregon’s overall quality of life improves when kids get a high quality preschool education.

• Tactics:– Ready for School Media Campaign– Ready for School Statewide Leaders Panel– Ready for School Speaker’s Bureau– Implementation Committee

Children’s Institute

Moving Research to Action:• Fully fund Oregon Head Start Pre-K (OPK) • Support continuous quality improvement and

accountability• Create “set aside” funds for proven

prevention programs for 0-3• Include high-quality pre-k in Oregon’s

education dialogue and reform proposals• Convening the broader group of stakeholders

on needs of children 0-5

Our Next Research Step• Explore strategies to expand access to high

quality pre-k • Deepen research on investments for children

0-5

Children’s Institute