Preschool for All in Maryland Report and Recommendations by the Task Force on Universal Preschool Education

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Preschool for All in MarylandReport and
Recommendations by the Task Force on Universal
Preschool Education

• August 2008

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Prekindergarten

• 27,300 preK students
• ? 30 over 2002
• 35 of all 4-year-olds
• 33 of Maryland 4-year-olds live in low-income
  households
• 24 Full-day preK
• 76 Half-day preK

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School Readiness
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School Readiness
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MSA 3rd-grade Reading
20-point gap
34-point gap
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MSA 3rd-grade Math
22-point gap
32-point gap
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Task Force Representation

• Provider Groups
• Local School Systems
• Maryland Association of Boards of Education
• Higher Education
• Chamber of Commerce
• Parents

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Task Force Recommendations

• Expand prekindergarten to provide access to all
  four-year olds regardless of income.
• Provide preK access in diverse early childhood
  settings.
• Maintain current preK standards.
• Improve the workforce in early childhood
  education.

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Next Steps

• Established work group to develop a statewide
  business plan
• Submit business plan to State Board
• Established six pilot sites