The Latino population in the United States is growing at a rapid pace, and the proportion of our nation's youngest learners who are Latino is increasing even faster. Unfortunately, by the fourth grade, more than 80 percent of Latino children cannot read at grade level. Decades of research show that children's success in school and life must be built on a foundation of seamless learning during their earliest pre-k to 3rd grade school years.
On September 23, 2008, Pre-K Now and the Foundation for Child Development sponsored the Latino Legislative Hearing on Pre-K and the Early Grades at the United States Capitol in Washington, DC. Hosted by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, the hearing brought together Hispanic state legislators from across the country to hear from experts on the importance of ensuring access to high-quality early education for Latino children. We invite you to learn more about this important topic by reviewing panel summaries, power point presentations, and testimonies from the hearing.
Panel I - The Importance of Pre-K and the Early grades (Pre-K - 3rd) for Latinos: Dispelling Myths, Reviewing Facts
The years from pre-k to 3rd grade are critical to a child's development. Research shows that if the gains of quality pre-k are to be sustained, there must be an educational bridge that aligns what is taught and learned across grades. Without consistent support in their primary years, many children fall behind, drop out of high school, and join the nation's underclass. In an effort to avoid these outcomes, states are adopting a pre-k to 3rd grade approach. This approach shifts the focus from preparing children only for kindergarten to ensuring academic progress is cumulatively maintained and all children have the strongest foundation to succeed in school and in life.
This panel of experts provided state legislators with a national overview and summary of research findings and facts related to Latinos and pre-k to 3rd grade. Specifically, new research shows that children, particularly English Language Learners (ELLs), in pre-k to 3rd grade would have the advantage of six years of continuous education with a curriculum integrating standards, consistent instructional methods, and ongoing assessments of their progress.
Witnesses:
Panel II - Programs That Work: Case Studies of Various State Approaches
With Latino children comprising one of the largest and fastest growing segments of the U.S. population, experiencing high-quality pre-kindergarten, and early elementary school education are critical to every student's increased academic achievement and lifelong success.
The experts on this panel provided state legislators with individual case studies of how the pre-k to 3rd grade approach is working in different states across the country.
Witnesses:
- Dr. Ellen Frede, Co-Director, National Institute for Early Education Research
Enhancing Bilingual Acquisition PK-3: The New Jersey Story (PPT)
- Ms. Kristie Kauerz, Former Early Childhood/P-3 Policy Director, Office of Colorado Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien; Doctoral candidate, Teachers College, Columbia University
P-3: What It Is, Why It's Important, and State Approaches (PPT)
- Hon. Jesse H. Ruiz, Chairman, Illinois State Board of Education
Panel III - Approaches to Funding Pre-K to 3rd at the State Level
Research shows that many Latino children enter kindergarten significantly behind their classmates in reading and math. It has also been found that high-quality pre-k can narrow the disparities between Latino children and their classmates. Unfortunately, only 40 percent of Latino three-to-five year olds are enrolled in pre-k given challenges such as affordability and lack of information about program options. As evidence mounts on how high-quality pre-k and early elementary education are vital to every young child's experience along the educational pipeline, it is imperative that Latinos have access to such programs and services.
As state legislators develop policy recommendations and programs that can effectively meet the needs of Latino children and families, the experts on this panel provided testimony for state legislators on how they can fund these services given the recent economic downturn and budgetary constraints.
Witnesses:
For more information on Pre-K Now's partnership with NALEO, please contact
Allison de la Torre .
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