At-Risk Preschool Evaluation Third Annual Program Evaluation

This is the third in a series of reports to be issued on the At-Risk Preschool Program. The report addresses the gains children have made as a result of participating in the Program. Most of the children were performing behind their expected age level when they entered the Program, and although most were still behind when they left, the gap had narrowed. Additionally, children who had attended an at-risk preschool had slightly higher achievement scores in kindergarten than similar children who did not attend preschool. Unfortunately, similar to other follow-up studies of children in similar programs, most of the program improvements had disappeared by grade 3. Consistent preschool program quality and follow-up support programs are essential to sustain children’s academic gains from the at-risk program. However, several conditions exist that allow for variation in program quality and there is no system to assure follow-up support for these children. We conclude that continuing the At-Risk Preschool Program without an adequate system of quality assurance and follow-up support programs does not seem a prudent use of public resources. Recommendations to improve the system of quality assurance are included in this report.