Wisconsin
Overview of Pre-K Program-Four-Year-Old Kindergarten Program
- Program is free and must be available to all four-year-old children in the districts where it is offered.
- Funds are distributed directly to public schools who may then provide services or subcontract with Head Start agencies or private child care centers to provide preschool programs.
- School districts receive half of the standard per-pupil funding so that they may provide half-day programs to children. If they provide parenting support programs, they may receive 60% of the per pupil amount.
- Programs are encouraged to follow the Wisconsin Model Early learning Standards, though it is bit a requirement.
Overview of Pre-K Program-Wisconsin Head Start Supplement
- Program is available to three- and four-year-old children from low-income households or who have developmental needs.
- State supplements federal Head Start funding, allowing Head Start agencies to increase and enhance services they provide.
- Programs are required to follow Head Start Performance Standards.
Brief History of Wisconsin’s Pre-K Program
- 1848 Wisconsin becomes a state and a provision for the free education of children from ages 4 to 20 is included in the state constitution.
- 1873 Four-Year-Old Kindergarten is created and continues today. Though there was a lapse in funding for the program between 1957 and 1984.
- 2009 77 % of elementary school districts provide 4K education for children.
Evaluations of Wisconsin’s Pre-K Program
Summary of Wisconsin SWEEP Results
Early Education Matters: Lessons Learned, 2006
Family Experiences and Parent Satisfaction with 4-year-old Kindergarten in Wisconsin, 2006
Executive Summary Assessing the Value of 4K in Wisconsin: A Study of 4K Community Approach Districts, 2005-2006
4K Teachers in Community Approach and Comparison Districts, 2005-2006
Charting Progress in 4-year-old Kindergarten (4K) in Wisconsin: Focus on the "Community Approach", 2003-2004 & 2004-2005
Program Website
Four-Year-Old Kindergarten Program Website
Resource List
NIEER 2009 Yearbook Wisconsin Profile
Pre-K Now Wisconsin Profile
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
