State Profiles

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1988		Louisiana begins funding and providing technical assistance for pre-k programs using annual state appropriations to support the Model Early Childhood program through the 1992-93 school year.
1993		Instead of general fund support, local public school systems begin using funds from the 8(g) Student Enhancement Block Grant Program to support pre-k classes. All four year olds identified as at risk of being "insufficiently ready for school" are eligible, with priority given to low-income families.
2000		An Early Childhood Summit is held in which pre-k stakeholders meet to assess the condition of early childhood programs and to create an outline for ensuring that all children have the opportunity to participate. Legislation is passed in June creating the LA4 program; comprehensive guidelines are developed to ensure program quality.
2001		In January, school districts begin the LA4 pilot program with approximately 1,500 students. In the spring, the legislature allocates $15 million in TANF funds to LA4, increasing program funding to $20,019,500 and the number of students increasing to 3,142 for the 2001-02 school year. Evaluation of the pilot year reveal statistically significant improvement in students' pre-test to post-test performance. NSECD begins. Run by the Governor's office, the program provides tuition reimbursements to parents and is open to families with incomes below 200 percent of poverty.
2002		Administrators as well as curriculum and early childhood specialists meet to develop the state's early learning standards, the Louisiana Standards for Programs Serving Four-Year-Old Children. The standards are mandated for use by public school programs and recommended for use by Head Start and childcare centers.
2003		Funding and enrollment continue to increase. Evaluation continues to show significant student improvement. Louisiana Standards for Programs Serving Four-Year-Old Children are reviewed by national experts. A second Early Childhood Summit is held to assess the progress of efforts to implement high-quality programs throughout the state.
2004		The legislature decreases funding for LA4 by almost half a million dollars but also replaces $18 million in federal TANF funds with $18 million in general state revenues and consolidates Starting Points into LA4, stabilizing the latter program and showing a commitment to high-quality pre-k as student enrollment continues to grow.
2005		In June, with strong support from Governor Blanco and Superintendent Cecil Picard, the legislature grants an additional $20 million dollars in state general funds to LA4, increasing the funding level to $55 million. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit in August and September, leading to mass evacuations which dramatically reduce enrollment.
2006		In January, the Bring New Orleans Back Education Committee unveils its plan to improve the city's public schools. The plan includes a pre-k-for-all program for three to five year olds to give all students a solid start and a greater likelihood of success throughout their education. Despite a dramatic reduction in the state's population and enormous fiscal losses after Hurricaines Katrina and Rita, the legislature approves an increase of $1.5 for LA4; total funding is now $56.5 million. NSECD and 8(g) are flat funded at $8.5 million and $14 million, respectively.
2007		The legislature approves a bill to change the name of LA4 to the Cecil J. Picard LA 4 Early Childhood Program and votes to increase funding for the high-quality program by$ 26.5 million, making it available for all eligible children. Total funding is now at $83 million.

Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco continues to keep pre-k programs at the forefront of her administration's agenda, especially as part of the recovery efforts. The success and national recognition of the LA4 program support her efforts to improve Louisiana's services for children and families.

State Superintendent of Education Cecil J. Picard remained one of the state's strongest proponents of high-quality early childhood programs until his death in 2007. One of his goals was to provide pre-k programs for all four-year-old children in the state.

The Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (SBESE) provides support for the focus on early childhood programs. BESE members remain strong proponents of the need for all children to have access to high-quality pre-k that will impact student performance in their districts.

Senator Bill Jones drafted the legislation to implement the LA4 program. The design of the legislation proved instrumental in ensuring that stakeholders were brought together in collaborative partnerships at both state and local levels.

A group of business and community leaders came together in 2007 to form Blueprint Louisana and advocate for a comprehensive reform agenda in the state. Expanding access to pre-k for all children is the top education priority.

Stakeholders in Louisiana's pre-k programs are working toward:

• Increasing funding so that all children throughout the state have access to high-quality pre-k;
• Maintaining a focus on pre-k and education reform as critical to the state's post-Katrina rebuilding efforts;
• Ensuring collaborative partnerships between all stakeholders in programs for young children;
• Ensuring continued accountability and adherence to high standards for programs for four year olds; and
• Begin to provide access to high quality pre-k for three year olds in Louisanaa.