HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A new study reveals the positive effects of public pre-K in the Houston area, just months before Texas lawmakers may debate increasing funding for early childhood education.
Parents See Benefits of Pre-K Education
For many parents, enrolling their children in pre-K has proven to be a wise decision. Rosa Martinez, a mother whose son is now in first grade, reflects on the improvement she saw in her child.
“Before school, he knew his ABCs and numbers, but after starting pre-K, his vocabulary really took off,” Martinez shared.
Martinez also noticed a boost in her son’s English skills, a trend that was highlighted in a recent report by Lizzy Cashiola, associate director of the Kinder Institute Urban Research.
“Pre-K helps children learn how to learn,” Cashiola explained. “If they grasp this concept early, they’re ready for the challenges of kindergarten and first grade.”
Positive Outcomes for Students
The study found significant improvements in language development and kindergarten readiness for pre-K students. English-speaking children who attended pre-K were nearly 25% more prepared for kindergarten, while Spanish-speaking children were nearly 50% more prepared. This progress comes after the state required schools to provide full-day public pre-K programs five years ago.
Pandemic Challenges Impacted Enrollment
Research from the Kinder Institute also shows that enrollment dropped during the pandemic. While numbers have rebounded, the study found that attendance has not returned to pre-pandemic levels.
“Some districts offer transportation, but others don’t, and that can be a barrier for young children,” Cashiola noted.
The cost of providing quality pre-K is another obstacle for schools. Cashiola pointed out the need for increased funding to support the expansion of the pre-K workforce, especially teachers.
Call for Expanded Public Pre-K
Currently, many school districts only offer pre-K to eligible students, which can be a financial burden for families who cannot afford private options.
“It’s just too expensive,” said Kristin Wiegman, a parent. “Even if I worked to pay for pre-K, it would be all I’d be working for. It doesn’t make sense.”
State Representative James Talarico, an advocate for pre-K, believes expanding public pre-K is crucial. Talarico, who serves on the House Public Education Committee, remains hopeful that lawmakers will support increased funding for early education during the upcoming legislative session.
“I think both sides of the political aisle support full-day, high-quality pre-K,” Talarico said. “We just need to convince Governor Abbott that this is the right choice.”
Lawmakers Debate Funding and Benefits
The governor’s office was contacted for comment regarding potential funding increases for public pre-K programs and the inclusion of private pre-K in the voucher program but did not respond by press time.
Lawmakers argue that investing in pre-K not only benefits parents but the state as well. According to a U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey, Texas loses $9 billion annually due to childcare-related issues.
“This is a smart investment for our state,” Talarico said. “Putting our tax dollars into early childhood education will yield a high return on investment.”
Despite funding challenges, Cashiola emphasized that the study’s findings are promising, showing the tangible benefits of pre-K for young children.
“It’s encouraging to see such positive outcomes with limited resources,” she said.
The new data highlights the critical role that public pre-K plays in the development of 4-year-olds, offering hope for future improvements in early childhood education across Texas.
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