Collecting of Data Is the Next Step in Preschool Push

State Will Use Young Children's Preparatory Experiences as a Guide to How Much Pre-K to Provide

Virginia school districts next year will begin collecting details about each kindergarten student's preschool experience as part of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's effort to offer publicly funded preschool to all 4-year-olds.

Beginning in fall 2007, districts will gather information from parents on the education and care that incoming kindergartners may have received before entering the school system, according to the Virginia Department of Education. The data will show whether the students attended private or public preschools, stayed with day-care providers or were at home with a parent, according to department.

The effort is one step Kaine (D) is taking as he seeks to open publicly funded voluntary preschool to all of the roughly 100,000 4-year-olds in Virginia, regardless of family income. Currently, government-funded programs serve about 27,000 disadvantaged children.

In an interview last week, Kaine said that it is important to focus first on children from poor families but that a high-quality program will help all children. He estimated the program eventually would cost $300 million a year.

"Huge chunks of the educational wiring of a kid's brain are in place by kindergarten," Kaine said. "There's a strong case for an educational investment before kindergarten."

Georgia and Oklahoma offer universal preschool programs that reach large percentages of their children. Other states, including West Virginia, are working toward such programs. In the past two years, state governments have increased funding for pre-kindergarten by more than $1 billion, according to Pre-K Now, a D.C.-based advocacy group.

But some lawmakers said they aren't convinced that universal preschool is a wise investment when voters want solutions to traffic congestion and when health-care costs are rising.

"I think it's all about priorities," said House Majority Whip M. Kirkland Cox (R-Colonial Heights), a government teacher in Chesterfield County. "I believe the top priority is transportation."

Kaine acknowledged that "finding resources is never easy" but said he is committed to his plan to expand the network of public and private providers.

Robert Pianta, a University of Virginia education professor, said preschool can help children learn letters and develop early math skills. They also learn how to interact with peers and adults.

"The kind of learning that goes on when you are 3 or 4 is critical to how you manage school later on, both on the social side as well as learning language and vocabulary and the ABCs," he said.

Kaine has said that expanding preschool would better prepare many students for kindergarten, and that fewer would need remediation.

Last week, the Start Strong Council, a group of educators, business leaders and lawmakers convened by the governor, recommended that the state launch a pilot program next year for 1,000 children.

The council, which will present a final report by October, also suggested that the state develop a "voluntary quality ratings system" for preschools. It would consider issues such as teacher qualifications, curriculum and even classroom space. The group also recommended that the state work with colleges to create teacher-training programs.

In addition, the council said the state should work to identify all public funding for early childhood education, including scholarships for teacher training, and search for ways to maximize those dollars.

Libby Doggett, Pre-K Now executive director, said Kaine's measured approach makes sense because the most effective preschools have well-trained teachers and a strong curriculum.

"I think it's a great approach," Doggett said. "Incremental is important. Quality is important. The council knows that without quality we're not going to get the results that Virginia needs for its economic future."