Virginia

Program Summary

Overview of Pre-K Program-Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI)

  • Eligibility guidelines are determined on the local level but may include risk factors such as unemployment, parents with low education level, homelessness, poverty and limited English proficiency.
  • Funds are distributed to school districts who may then subcontract to Head Start or private centers to provide preschool.
  • Programs offered may be full or half-day.  However, half-day programs receive only half the per-pupil amount.
  • Local coordinating teams include members from public schools, Head Start agencies, child care providers, and health and social service providers.

Brief History of Virginia’s Pre-K Program

  • 1995 Virginia Preschool Initiative launched to serve children who were not already enrolled in a preschool program.
  • 2005 Funding to program is increased so that services may be offered to all at-risk four-year-old children.
  • 2006 Governor establishes the Start Strong Council which will develop goals and best practices for program expansion and grant processes and create quality and implementation guidelines.
  • 2007 All VPI sites are required to follow newly revised early learning standards which now include standards for physical and motor skills, history, social and personal skills, science and social science.
  • 2009 Program serves 14,585 children statewide.

Evaluations of Virginia’s Pre-K Program

Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI): Current Implementation and Potential Changes, 2007.

Program Website

Virginia Department of Education: Virginia Preschool Initiative Webpage

Resource List

Pre-K Now Virginia Profile
NIEER 2009 Yearbook Virginia Profile
NEA Great Public Schools

 

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