For the past 15 years, New Jersey has provided high-quality preschool to about 50,000 disadvantaged young children. Low-income children begin kindergarten far behind their wealthier peers. A recent study shows that students who attended New Jersey’s high-quality, state-funded preschool are, by 4th or 5th grade, three-quarters of an academic year ahead of students who did not attend a quality preschool. These children were less likely to be held back a grade or require costly special education.
Five years ago, New Jersey adopted its current school funding law, which required the state to fund high-quality preschool in hundreds of low-income districts. During that time, only four districts have received those expansion funds – meaning thousands of eligible children are still missing out on this critical early education. In addition, a federal proposal is being debated in Congress that would expand preschool nationally and would provide states, including New Jersey, with funds to expand quality preschool.
You can help!
We need to build support for funding preschool expansion among decision-makers and the public. The upcoming elections provide an opportunity to raise the issue with candidates. Please complete this very short survey to let us know how you will help.