Frequently Asked Questions

Policymakers often have questions regarding early education in California. Please see some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers below.

1. What are some examples of model preschool programs?

2. How many kids who are eligible for publicly-funded preschool are not being served?

3. What is the name of the report that Fight Crime: Invest in Kids produced on crime and California's dropout crisis?

Answers:

1. What are some examples of model preschool programs?

Answer:

First 5 California’s Power of Preschool Program

Power of Preschool provides free, voluntary and high-quality part-day preschool for 3 and 4 year old children. This program, supported by First 5 California in conjunction with local, state, federal and private funds, focuses on developing preschools in underserved and high-priority communities across the state. With nine demonstration projects in nine different counties, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Ventura, San Joaquin, Merced, Yolo, San Mateo and Santa Clara, the Power of Preschool program helps children develop the skills they need to transition into kindergarten.

The program demonstrates the different components of a high-quality preschool and the resulting benefits for children. It provides children with services such as health and developmental screenings, school readiness curricula, nutritious meals, family partnerships and support services. The classrooms are also high-quality; according to an assessment of their classroom environments, all Power of Preschool sites report an average score of 5.5 out of a possible 7. Additionally, its teachers are well-qualified as nearly half hold Bachelor’s degree or higher in early childhood education. An assement shows the program significantly increased the number of children with development skills in effective learning, personal/social competence, physical /motor competence and safety/ health.

Find more information on each county:

1. San Francisco
2. San Joaquin
3. Merced
4. Yolo 
5. Los Angeles 
6. San Mateo
7. San Diego 
8. Santa Clara 
9. Ventura

2. How many kids who are eligible for publicly-funded¹ preschool are not being served?

Answer:

Of the 724,976 children ages 0 to 36 months, only 3.5% are enrolled in publicly-funded early education programs. Of the 792,078 children ages 36 to 60 months, 39% are enrolled in publicly-funded early education programs.

Please see our graph of the access gap in California.

3. What is the name of the report that Fight Crime: Invest in Kids produced on crime and California's dropout crisis?

The report is titled, "Schools or the Streets: Crime and the California Dropout Crisis." Read the report. 

___________________________

¹ Publicly-funded indicates Head Start, Title 1 or state Title 5 programs .