Pennsylvania

Overview of Pre-K Program-Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts

Program is available to children who are between three years old through the age of eligibility for kindergarten and who are considered at risk for school failure. Risk factors are determined at the program level but may include low-income status (300% FPL), English language learners, residence in a high-poverty area or developmental risk factors.
Program is considered a public-private collaboration and is funded through a collaboration of EABG funds, Head Start, Keystone STARS and private sponsors.
Funds are awarded through a competitive grant process.
Head Start programs, school districts and licensed child care centers which hold a rating of STAR 3 or 4 in the Keystone STARS quality initiative may apply for grants.
Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, through the Office of Child Development and Learning.

Children are eligible for the program in the two years preceding their kindergarten eligibility, as determined by local guidelines.
Districts can choose to other risk factors such as academic readiness or family income.
Districts decide how to use the funds they receive. Grants may be used for various purposes, including prekindergarten, full-day kindergarten and class-size reduction.

Through this program school districts have the option of providing pre-k 4-year-old children.
Providers of K4 must follow the state’s kindergarten guidelines. Whereas districts participating in the SBPK program must follow the preschool guidelines.
Children are partially funded through the state’s school funding formula.

Provides supplemental state funds to the federally funded Head Start program
Funds allow for additional Head Start slots to be created or for extended-day services to be provided to children who are in federally funded Head Start slots.
Programs receiving federal Head Start grants may apply for funds.
Participating providers are required to follow the Federal Head Start Performance Standards.
Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

2002 Keystone STARS quality initiative is launched to rate and improve the quality of child care programs in the state.
2004 State launches both the Education Accountability Block Grant program and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program.
2005 Pre-K Counts program is launched as a pilot program.
2006 State Board of Education revises quality standards for districts offering pre-k. Program standards include requirements for teacher certification, staff ratios, limits on class sizes, standards for curriculum and classroom educational aids, and assessment tools.
2006 Office of Child Development and Early Learning is created. State-funded pre-k programs, as well as Head Start will be overseen by this office.
2007 Governor proposes dedicated funding to extend Pre-K Counts program. Program will provide high-quality pre-k to 11,000 children and follow the diverse delivery model of the pilot program.
2009 3-year evaluation of Pre-K Counts pilot program is released and shows that Pre-K Counts is improving the kindergarten readiness of Pennsylvania children and positioning them for long-term school success.