Benefits to kids in pre-K outweigh concerns
As the 2020-2021 school year draws near, it is more important than ever that parents of 3- and 4-year-old children register for prekindergarten through their local school district. There is no question about the value of a high-quality pre-K experience for children. Research by the Houston Education Research Consortium and others shows children who complete pre-K are more ready for kindergarten and, in turn, perform better in later grades, are less likely to repeat a grade level, complete more years of education, are more likely to be employed and earn a higher wage in adulthood than their peers who did not attend. Pre-K attendance not only benefits students and their families, but also can have a significant positive economic impact on the greater Houston community for years to come.
It is understandable parents have concerns about sending their pre-K aged children back to a physical classroom right now, but there are still a number of benefits to enrolling young learners in pre-K. First, it helps schools better communicate with families about what the upcoming school year will look like. Second, teachers can provide learning materials for students’ continued development, even those who are pre-K aged. Brain development is critically important at this early stage and these resources from teachers can help lay a solid foundation for lifelong learning. Finally, enrollment guarantees space for a child at a neighborhood campus or preferred location, and provides the district with important information about where seats and teachers are needed in the event that all students physically return to school buildings at some point in the upcoming school year.
Many districts in the Houston area are experiencing substantially lower rates of pre-K enrollment, which has made accurately planning for attendance difficult. These lower rates reflect thousands of children who may be missing an important early learning opportunity. As a result, the gaps in academic achievement, behavioral outcomes and learning skills between students of different backgrounds is likely to be even larger at school entry than in previous years and will continue to grow over time.
It is the responsibility of all Houstonians to make sure families have the information they need to register for pre-K. Pre-K Houston, powered by Good Reason Houston and supported by PNC, provides a centralized location for families to find out if their child qualifies for pre-K and to learn about neighborhood programs.
Districts are offering families a variety of opportunities to enroll children in pre-K. Some local districts have created online or telephone applications while others require families to reach out to their local campus for registration. Families can contact their local district or visit www.prekhouston.org to learn more about the options available.
While families may be opting out of enrolling in pre-K for a number of reasons, let us be certain, as a community, that access to information is not one of those reasons. If you are a parent or guardian, check out the Pre-K Houston website for more information about how to sign up and share the information with other parents you know. Let us ensure our pre-K aged children are prepared to get off to the right start — even if that start looks different than it has before.