Louisiana

Overview of Pre-K Program-8(g) Student Enhancement Block Grant Program

Program is open to children who are considered at-risk of not being ready for the regular school program. Priority is given to children from low-income families.
Public school systems may use these funds to provide full-day pre-k programs.

Program is open to four-year-old children who qualify for free or reduced price lunch.
Funded by state dollars and supplemented by TANF funds.

Program provides tuition reimbursement to families with income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level who send their children to state-approved private preschools.
Funded by block grant funds and TANF dollars.

1993 Local public schools begin using funds from the 8(g) Student Enhancement Block Grant Program to support pre-k classes.
2000 Legislation is passed to create the LA4 program.
2001 Year one of the LA4 pilot program sees significant increases in test scores for children who participated in the program. This is also the first year of the NSECD program.
2002 The Louisiana Standards for Programs Serving Four-Year-Old Children are developed. They are mandated for public schools and suggested for Head Start programs.
2004 Starting Points is combined with the LA4 program.
2007 Legislature approves bill to adopt the name Cecil J. Picard LA4 Early Childhood Program for its LA4 program.
2008 State adopts legislation to gradually increase income eligibility guidelines until the 2013-2014 school year when pre-k will be available for all four-year-old children regardless of income.
2008 17,788 children served through the 3 programs with the Picard LA4 program serving 13,668, 8(g) Student Enhanced Block Grant serving 3,065, and NSECD serving 1,055.