ERIC Number: ED605423
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2020-May
Pages: 8
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Exploring New Research on Pre-K Outcomes. Policy Brief
Fischer, Adrienne; Keily, Tom; Weyer, Matt
Education Commission of the States
As pre-K programming increasingly garners more political attention and funding in the states, policymakers are seeking the most up-to-date and rigorous research to support decision-making and creation or expansion of these programs. High-quality pre-K has bipartisan support in part because of the vast amount of existing research detailing positive benefits -- notably that it is of great benefit to students from low-income families and those who are dual-language learners. However, some research also demonstrates that positive growth among pre-K students isn't consistently sustained over time. This idea is known as "convergence" or "fadeout," because the short-term gains of pre-K attendees may diminish in early elementary school. The reasons for these mixed findings vary. Some researchers have pointed out that large-scale, public pre-K often varies in quality from program to program, making comparisons difficult. Others have suggested that the convergence effect may be a function of the instruction provided in kindergarten and early elementary grades, which often focuses heavily on improving the skills of struggling students who may lack access to pre-K rather than building on the skills of pre-K attendees. This Policy Brief analyzes 15 research studies on the effectiveness of pre-K outcomes in programs across the country and finds evidence of sustaining effects beyond kindergarten.
Descriptors: Preschool Education, Outcomes of Education, Program Effectiveness, Reading Skills, Mathematics Skills, English Language Learners, Grade Repetition, High School Graduates, Graduation, Executive Function, Low Income Students, At Risk Students, Educational Quality, Educational Environment, Alignment (Education), Kindergarten, Social Development, Emotional Development, Student Behavior, Special Education, Language Skills, Science Achievement, Social Studies, Grade Point Average
Education Commission of the States. ECS Distribution Center, 700 Broadway Suite 1200, Denver, CO 80203-3460. Tel: 303-299-3692; Fax: 303-296-8332; e-mail: ecs@ecs.org; Web site: http://www.ecs.org
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education; High Schools; Secondary Education; Elementary Education; Kindergarten; Primary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Education Commission of the States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A