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Last Update: 03/24/2009

Voluntary Pre-K -- Myth vs. Fact

Voluntary Pre-K
Myth
This governor wants to require all 4-year-old children to attend a Pre-K.
Fact
The Governor's Pre-K initiative is voluntary for parents and local communities. No mandatory participation, no unfunded mandates. Local communities decide if, how and when they want to participate.
Myth
Tennessee's Pre-K program does not provide for parent choice.
Fact
The Governor's program allows parents to choose whether they want their children to attend a Pre-K classroom or not.
The Governor's program empowers parents to drive the creation of a variety of options from school-based classrooms to partnerships with private providers and Head Start classrooms.
Parents will always maintain the choice of keeping their child at home or having them attend other programs.
Myth
Expanding Pre-K programs will burden local governments and school boards to pay for the programs.
Fact
This is voluntary for local communities. Communities decide if, how and when they want to add Pre-K classrooms, as finances and needs dictate - one classroom at a time.
Local communities are encouraged to seek outside financial partners to help match funding from the state. In-kind contributions (i.e. classroom space and utilities) can be considered part of the local match funds.
Myth
Pre-K is really just babysitting. Age 4 is too early for structured learning.
Fact
A Tennessee parent walking into a high quality Pre-K classroom will see the real learning that takes place through active, hands-on engagement of students in age appropriate activities. Children work in small groups reading books, building structures and learning through play inside and outside the classroom with highly trained and certified teachers. Teachers ask questions, point out successes and guide learning. Children learn letters, shapes, numbers and colors, and interact with each other to foster communication and sharing.
Myth
A 4-year-old does not need 5.5 hours per day and 180 days of learning.
Fact
National research to date indicates children who attend full-day programs perform better better than peers who attended half-day programs. High-quality standards coupled with a certified teacher, small class size and age-appropriate curriculum have produced positive results in Tennessee.
Students who participated in the full school year 180-day program score better than those who participate less than the full school year.
Myth
This Pre-K initiative is just another entitlement program - it needs over $200 million for universal coverage.
Fact
The program is voluntary. The language of the law explicitly states this is not an entitlement.
The Governor will increase state funding only as local communities demand Pre-K classrooms and as we see success. Issues of funding will be looked at every step of the way together with the General Assembly. This is a measured, fiscally responsible, evidence-based, thoughtful approach.
Myth
We do not have enough money for Pre-K.
Fact
Tennessee cannot afford not to invest early in students. Providing a solid foundation for learning in the beginning is the best way to support student success in the long-term and costs less than intervention efforts later. Investing in Pre-K now will develop more productive responsible adults and benefit communities over time. Over 40 years of longitudinal research has proven that a quality Pre-K program pays off.
Every $1 invested in early learning returns $7 in societal and community benefits in the long run. It's proven to increase graduation rates, increase economic status as adults,decrease grade repetition, decrease special education referrals, decrease welfare dependency and decrease criminal activity.
Myth
The Pre-K program excludes private providers and Head Start.
Fact
Tennessee's Pre-K program allows and encourages high quality private providers and Head Start programs to partner with schools systems to participate - as long as the provider has obtained the highest child care star rating from the Department of Human Services. The Governor does not want to mandate a one-size-fits-all program. Every community is required to establish a local Pre-K advisory council to help craft the local program, develop the application, and create a process for developing collaborative partnership with community based organizations including private providers. Local councils include private providers, Head Start representatives and other early childhood stakeholders.
Every community is required to establish a local Pre-K advisory council to help craft the local program and develop the application. Local councils include private providers and Head Start representatives.
Myth
Pre-K programs only impact teachers and schools.
Fact
Pre-K programs strengthen children, families, schools and communities by working together to provide a high-quality early education experience for the youngest learners in their communities. Parents are recognized as the primary decision makers regarding their children's care and education. Parents, schools and communities form collaborative partnerships by developing a shared vision and common goals in response to their local needs.
Over 80 organizations (and growing) formally support the Governor's initiative - including child care providers; Chiefs of Police; Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Tennessee Business Roundtable; Tennessee American Academy of Pediatrics; and the AARP.
Nationally, early childhood education is a bi-partisan supported effort championed by notable leaders like President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt and former Georgia Governor and Senator Zell Miller. National economic organizations such as the Federal Reserve, RAND Corporation, Committee for Economic Development, The Brookins Institute, Economic Policy Institute, and others support Pre-K as a wise economic investment in the future of our country.