Florida's pre-K programs trail in funding, quality

Florida's voluntary prekindergarten program remains among the poorest nationally when rated on money spent and quality, says a national report card released today.

With more parents taking advantage of the taxpayer-funded program, however, the state rates second for access in the annual Preschool Yearbook issued by the National Institute for Early Education Research.

Florida's program is open to every 4-year-old, regardless of family income. Statewide, 61 percent of 4-year-olds were enrolled in 2007-08. First-place Oklahoma enrolled 71 percent.

With respect to spending, Florida ranked 34th out of 38 states that fund pre-K programs, spending about $2,500 per child last year. Only Arizona, Colorado, South Carolina and Maine spent less. The state average was more than $4,000.

Florida ranked along with Arizona, Texas and California near the bottom for quality programming, with just four out of 10 points in that category. The state lost points because its pre-K teachers don't need bachelor's degrees unless they work in the summer voluntary program. During the school year, Florida requires only one teacher in each pre-K class to have a child development associate credential.

The state also lost points for not providing teachers with more training or offering children at least one meal a day or vision, hearing and other health screenings.

"I'm concerned about Florida," said Lynn Hartle, associate professor of early childhood education at the University of Central Florida. "It is basically the same findings as last year."

She noted, however, the state's pre-K program does have an advantage over some states.

"The one positive aspect of Florida that we have going for us is that the people working in child care facilities are usually being prepared by our local community colleges," Hartle said.

Florida's voluntary prekindergarten program was mandated by voters in 2002 and launched in 2005. Little has changed since then, except the number of participants. In the first year, 47 percent of eligible children were enrolled.

Private and faith-based schools provide most of the programs, with little oversight by the state.
Parents choose a school or child care center that participates in the program. Locally, the number of providers is growing.

This school year, Hillsborough has 353 providers, compared with 294 last year, said Dave McGerald, executive director of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County. More preschools have jumped in as they learn about the program and parents ask to participate, he said.

Hillsborough gets $2,613 from the state per student enrolled in pre-K this year. That includes the $2,500 cited in the national report card with district adjustments based on a formula that calculates differences in the cost of living.

Primrose School of Westchase is among the established schools that became providers this year.

"We have a very high quality, full-time program," said Sandra Nightlinger, Primrose's assistant director. "Parents asked about the program last year so they could have a little bit of financial assistance."

Primrose parents pay $175 a week instead of $250 they paid before the school participated in the state program.

The school provides a full day of pre-K with certified teachers, Nightlinger said. The state pays for 540 teacher hours during the school year or 300 during the summer, but providers divide that time up according to their own schedules and may charge parents for extra time or care.

PRE-K SUMMER PROGRAMS

All Florida school districts must provide a free summer prekindergarten program with certified teachers for families not enrolled in voluntary pre-K the previous school year. In past years, Hillsborough has had the largest summer program in the state, with about 1,200 students. Some private and faith based preschools participate. Here are some other facts about the program:

• This year's summer program will be four days a week instead of five as in previous years. Classes will be from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 10-July 30 at 24 elementary schools.

• Students must be age 5 on or before Sept. 1 to register.

• Students but don't have to attend all day or for the full session.

• The state will save money this summer by allowing 12 students per teacher instead of 10 as required during the regular school year.

• Elementary schools that will offer summer voluntary pre-K this year are: Alexander, Bellamy, Bryan, Buckhorn, Chiles, Clark, Claywell, Collins, Crestwood, Forest Hills, Dover, Gibsonton, Gorrie, Maniscalco, Mintz, Potter, Roosevelt, Schmidt, Seminole, Shaw, Sheehy, Sulphur Springs, Tinker and Wimauma.