Michigan
Overview of Pre-K Program-Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)
- Open to four-year-old children who exhibit at least 2 of 25 identified risk factors. 50% of the children must be low income, defined as families who live at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level
- School Districts receive funding based on the school funding formula which calculates the level of need in each district.
- Districts receive funding directly. They may use these funds to subcontract to local providers.
- A competitive grant process allows Head Start centers, private providers, mental health and social service entities to receive funds directly to provide preschool services.
- Administered by Michigan Department of Education.
Brief History of Michigan’s Pre-K Program
- 1985 Michigan begins offering preschool to at-risk four year olds through the Michigan School Readiness Program.
- 2003 Project Great Start Initiative launched as movement to educate Michigan’s citizens on the importance of Birth to Age 5 education.
- 2005 Early Childhood Investment Corporation formed with a goal of coordinating Michigan’s programs and services for children from birth through age 5. Preschool now known as Great Start Readiness Program.
- 2009 Great Start Readiness Program serves 24,091 children.
Evaluations of Michigan’s Pre-K Program
2008-2009 Great Start Readiness Program Program Quality Assessment Statewide Data Report Prepared by High/Scope Educational Research Foundation 2009
2007-2008 Great Start Readiness Program Quality Assessment Statewide Data Report Prepared by High/Scope Educational Research Foundation 2008
An Effectiveness-Based Evaluation of Five State Pre-Kindergarten Programs, Study looks at Michigan, New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia, 2008.
Findings from the Michigan School Readiness Program 6-8 Follow-Up Study done by High/Scope Educational Research Foundation 2007
Program Websites
Michigan’s Great Start Home Page
Resource List
2009 Yearbook Michigan Profile
Michigan Great Start article
Department of Education Great Start funding information and page containing links to research
Return to: Program Evaluations
Spotlight:
Fact Briefs, April 2012
i3 Grant Announcement, December 22, 2011
HCRC receives Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund grant for Midwest CPC Expansion [pdf], December 21, 2011
Human Capital Research Collaborative Brown Bag Faculty Research Seminars, 3rd Tuesday of the month, Oct. 2011–Apr. 2012
U study finds big preschool payoffs, Star Tribune, June 9, 2011
Art Rolnick testifies before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families, June 9, 2011
Art Rolnick presents at TEDxTC on the Economic Case for Early Childhood Development, May 5, 2010
Highlighted Discussion Papers
The Public Returns to Public Educational Investments in African American Males
Child Interventions That May Lead to Increased Economic Growth
Past News and Events
Human Capital Research Collaborative Brown Bag Faculty Research Seminars, 3rd Tuesday of the month, Sept. 2010–Apr. 2011
Assessing the Validity of Minnesota School Readiness Indicators [pdf]
Health and Early Childhood Development: The Impact of Health on School Readiness and Other Education Outcomes, October 14 & 15, 2010
