State slow to raise preschool access

Study cites funding, shift in priority

Teacher Josette Nicolas read the preschool class a story at the Castle Square School. New materials, including books, were bought with additional state funding for the school. (Bill Greene/Globe Staff)

The state's two-year effort to create universal access to preschool has so far provided more than 100 programs with new classroom materials, computers, or teacher bonuses but has done little to expand access, according to a report being released today.

Despite a waiting list of 4,400 children seeking state financial assistance to attend preschool, the state Department of Early Childhood Education and Care has instead chosen to bolster the academic rigor of existing programs before making them affordable to more children.

The approach follows national studies that have shown only high quality preschool programs adequately prepare children for kindergarten, according to Amy Kershaw, the department's acting commissioner. It's also a reflection of limited money: The Legislature has provided less than $24 million for the Universal Pre-K Pilot Program since funding began two years ago, while a full-scale program could cost $600 million.

"The early approach for pre-K is to ensure children already enrolled in preschool are receiving the highest quality of education," Kershaw said. "But the governor's long-term vision will eventually have us expand access."

Massachusetts is among many states expanding access to preschool as a way to help groups of students, including low-income, black, and Latino children, who traditionally struggle in school. Research has indicated that students from lower-income families have more difficulty getting into high-quality preschool programs because of a scarcity of seats or an inability to afford the tuition.

With preschool tuition in Massachusetts averaging $11,000 a year, the Bay State's programs are the fourth-most expensive in the country.

Universal preschool would ultimately expand tuition subsidies but not make the program free for everyone.

The report being released today at a meeting of the state Board of Early Education and Care is the first evaluation of the pilot program. Commissioned by the department, the study was conducted by Abt Associates in Cambridge, a social sciences consulting firm.

The report found that the approximately 130 providers participating in the pilot program said improving their teaching staff was their top priority. Roughly half of the grant funding has been used to train and retain teachers by raising salaries, providing incentives to those who earn bachelor's degrees, or giving bonuses to top-notch teachers. The grants, which ranged from $2,000 to $80,000, also have been used to buy classroom materials, such as magnifying glasses for science programs and computers for teachers, who now are using standardized software to track their students' progress.

The Castle Square School in the South End, which has received $35,000, has been able to give $3,000 bonuses to teachers who hold bachelor's degrees. Many preschool teachers statewide have only associate's degrees.

"Just having that incentive has encouraged other teachers to go to school," said Doreen DuBique, the school's program director, noting that six of her teachers are enrolled in bachelor's programs while another recently received her four-year degree.

The study found that many providers said that while they appreciated the extra money, it did not fully address their challenges in hiring and retaining quality staff.

The department is first targeting money to preschool programs that are committed to high quality but are struggling to retain teachers, who often leave for better-paying jobs. Funding preference is given to programs catering to children from groups that historically struggle in school.

Improving already strong programs costs less money than overhauling inadequate ones, which could take much more money than the state has committed.

Barbara Goodson, a principal scientist for Abt Associates, said it is going to take patience as well as a huge financial investment to bring universal preschool to the state.

"No one gave them the money to be big bang at first," she said.

"I do think the department is implementing universal pre-K carefully and thoughtfully, even though sometimes you may feel like you are leaving behind the places that need the help the most."