New Jersey State Mandated Preschool Expansion

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New Jersey State Mandated Preschool Expansion

• December 8, 2008

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The Law

• January 2008 Governor Corzine signed into law a
  new funding formula which included significant
  expansion of preschool throughout the state of
  New Jersey.
• This law required districts to provide three- and
  four- year old students who are eligible for free
  and reduced lunch a high quality preschool
  education beginning the 2009 school year.

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Proposed State Funding

• State-funded on per pupil basis
• New classroom set-up materials and technology

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Why?

• To increase academic student success and bridge
  the early
• childhood achievement gap for lower income
  children.
• Research shows that children from low-income
  families that
• attend preschool programs with qualified teachers
  and small class
• sizes show an increase in childrens cognitive
  abilities leading to
• broad improvements in achievement and social
  behavior.
• Including
• Higher achievement on test scores
• Less special education
• Higher graduation rates
• Increased adult employment and earnings and
• Less delinquency and crime.

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State Requirements

• 20 of total target of 70 students in the first
  year (90 by 2013-2014).
• 15 to 1 student to teacher ratio with 1 teacher
  assistant
• Master Teacher
• Preschool Supervisor
• Community and Parent Involvement Specialist
  (CPIS)

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State Requirements

• Preschool Intervention Response Team (PIRT)
• Transition Committee (PreK-3)
• Early Childhood Advisory Council (PreK-3)
• State approved curriculum and assessment
• Plans for inclusion and ELL students

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More requirements

• Provide breakfast, lunch and snack

• Professional development plans
• Family involvement plans
• Annual review of program

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Our Process

• Attended State Trainings
• Created Advisory Council August 08
• Established Subcommittees
• Recruitment
• Curriculum PD
• Special Needs
• Health Nutrition
• Supervision
• Family Community Involvement

• 4. Researched State Code/guidelines
• Participated in Site Visits
• 6. Held Monthly Advisory Council Meetings

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A Peek into the 5 Year Plan.

• Establish two classrooms for 2009-2010 in
  Greenbrook run by the district
• Use district employees where possible to fill
  mandated positions

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5 Year Plan

• Implement the Tools of the Mind Curriculum and
  Work Sampling Online Assessment
• Provide transportation for all students

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The 5 Year Plan

• Apply for start up funds for two new classrooms
• Special Note
• Our estimated costs
• of operations falls
• under the State
• allocation per student

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Approval Process

• December 8th Plan presented to the Board for
  review and feedback
• December 15, 2008 Plan submitted to the State
  with Board resolution
• April 2, 2009 Notification from the State Early
  Childhood Education Department

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Moving ForwardWe know that South Brunswicks
Preschool will be one of high standards that will
benefit our students and provide a solid
foundation for the academic and social
experiences throughout their lives.