Abstract
The state of Tennessee was the ideal place to implement Pre-K programs because of the number of children living in poverty, health-care issues, and student’s poor performances on academic measures. This chapter will explore the development of Pre-K, the use of pilot programs, the major expansions, and the period of sustainment. The final section will identify lessons learned and recommendations for expansion of quality Pre-K programs for all young children.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Ackerman, D., Barnett, S., Hawkinson, L., Brown, K., & McGonigle, E. (2009). Providing preschool education for all 4-year olds: Lessons from six states. National Institute for Early Education Research, 18, 1–29. http://nieer.org/docs/?DocID=257. Accessed 12 July 2011.
Associated Press. (2011, June 9). Preschool benefits last into adulthood, study says. Education Weekly. http://www.edweek.org/ew/toc/2011/06/09/index.html. Accessed 12 July 2011.
Barnett, S. (2010). Universal and targeted approaches to preschool education in the United States. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, 4(1), 1–12.
Barnett, S., Epstein, D., Friedman, A., Sansanelli, R., & Hustedt, J. (2009). The state of preschool 2009: State preschool yearbook (Executive Summary). The National Institute for Early Education Research. Website: http://nieer.org/yearbook/pdf/yearbook_executive_summaries.pdf. Accessed 12 July 2011.
Boylan, E., & White, S. (2010). Formula for success: Adding high quality Pre-K to state school funding formulas. The PEW Center on the States Education Reform Series. http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/uploadedFiles/Formula_for_success.pdf?n=913. Accessed 12 July 2011.
Brooks, J. (2010, March 30). Conflicting studies muddle debate on effectiveness of Pre-K. The Tennessean. http://www.tennessean.com. Accessed 12 July 2011.
Children’s Defense Fund. (2011). [Data]. Children in TN. http://www.childrensdefense.org/child-research-data-publications/us-state-child-data.html. Accessed 12 July 2011.
Dugger, R. (2009, July 16). Studies show Pre-K is vital. The Tennessean. http://www.tennessean.com. Accessed 12 July 2011.
Edie, D., & Schmid, D. (2007). Brain development and early learning. In Quality matters: A policy brief series on early care and education (Vol. 1). www.wccf.org/education_pub.php. Accessed 12 July 2011.
Editorial Projects in Education Research Center. (2011). TN state graduation chart. State graduation report. http://www.edweek.org/apps/gmap/details.html?year=2011&zoom=6&type=1&id=TN. Accessed 12 July 2011.
Fight Crime: Invest in Kids. (n.d.). Law enforcement’s case for Pre-K. http://www.fightcrime.org/sites/default/files/reports/TNPreK0409.pdf. Accessed 12 July 2011.
Heckman, J. (2010). Invest in early childhood development: Reduce deficits, strengthen the economy [PowerPoint slides]. http://www.fourcornersdailypost.com/UserFiles/File/2010/2010ROIPre-K.pdf. Accessed 12 July 2011.
Offices of Research and Education Accountability. (2009). TN Pre-K policy history timeline. Tennessee’s Pre-Kindergarten Program. http://www.comptroller1.state.tn.us/Repository/RE/PreKHistory.pdf. Accessed 12 July 2011.
Schechter, C., & Bye, B. (2007). Preliminary evidence for the impact of mixed-income preschools on low-income children’s language growth. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 22(1), 137–146.
Schweinhart, L. J., Montie, J., Xiang, Z., Belfield, C. R., & Nores, M. (2004). Lifetime effects: The High/Scope Perry preschool study through age 40. Ypsilanti: High/Scope Press.
Strategic Research Group. (2010). Assessing the effectiveness of Tennessee’s Pre-Kindergarten program: Third interim report. http://www.comptroller1.state.tn.u/Repository/RE/SRGInterimReport2010.pdf. Accessed 12 July 2011.
Sylvia, K., Melhuish, E., Sammons, P., Siraj-Blatchford, I., & Taggart, B. (2004). The effective provision of pre-school education (EPPE) project: Findings from preschool to end of key stage 1. London: University of London, Institute of Education.
Tennessee Alliance for Early Education. (2011). TN voluntary Pre-K program chart. Why Pre-K? http://www.prekfortn.com/why.htm. Accessed 12 July 2011.
Tennessee Department of Education Office of Early Learning. (2010). TN Pre-K chart. 2009–2010 Tennessee Pre-Kindergarten fact sheet. www.tn.gov/education/earlylearning/preK/…/Pre-K_Quick_Facts.doc. Accessed 12 July 2011.
United States Chamber of Commerce. (2010). Why business should support early childhood education (Institute for a Competitive Workforce (ICW) Publication). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Isbell, R. (2014). Climbing the Mountains: The Journey to Quality Prekindergarten in Tennessee. In: Boyle Swiniarski, L. (eds) World Class Initiatives and Practices in Early Education. Educating the Young Child, vol 9. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7853-5_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7853-5_2
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-007-7852-8
Online ISBN: 978-94-007-7853-5
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawEducation (R0)