Arkansas

Overview of Pre-K Program-Arkansas Better Chance Program (ABC) and Arkansas Better Chance for School Success (ABCSS)

ABC is open to three and four year olds living in families earning up to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
ABCSS gives priority to children who meet this income requirement but who also reside in school districts that are in school improvement status or in which at least 75 percent of students score below proficient on state benchmark exams in math and literacy.
Provided in center-based classrooms or through the Home Instruction Program for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPPY).
Funded through a dedicated sales tax, an excise tax on package beer and federal funding.
Administered through the Arkansas Department of Education and the Arkansas Division of Child Care and Early Education.

1991 Arkansas begins funding the Arkansas Better Chance Pre-Kindergarten Program.
2001 Legislature approves excise tax on package beer to help fund ABC.
2003 State funds ABCSS for low income preschool children, with priority given to those residing in troubled school districts. Program serves additional 7,266 children in 329 added classrooms.
2007 Funding increased so that the program can serve all three and four year olds in families earning up to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
2008 ABC eligibility regulations changed to include all three and four year olds with active duty military parents, regardless of income. Foster children, children living in the custody of a family member other than a mother or father, and children with an immediate family member arrested for drug-related offenses are also exempt from income requirement.
2009 Program serves 20,476 children.