ASSESSING THE STATUS OF 
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN IDAHO

Idaho is one of four states that currently provides no state funding for preschool programming. The status of pre-K educational opportunities in Idaho for kids ages 3 – 5 includes federally funded programs like Head Start, private preschools, as well as programs with funding sources from local governments, businesses, non-profit organizations, and school districts.

The Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (IAEYC) has been given approval from Governor Little to submit a grant proposal to the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services to develop a strategic plan to assess and facilitate collaboration and coordination among existing programs of early childhood care and education across the state.  Idaho is one of six states along with several territories that has been singled out and encouraged to submit a Preschool Development Grant.

There are many studies that reveal the benefits of preschool programs for children preparing to enter school. One such study was conducted by a task force of scientists from Georgetown University, Vanderbilt, Duke, the Brookings Institution, University of Virginia, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of California Irvine, University of Wisconsin Madison, and the University of Michigan. Their report, “The Current State of ScientificKnowledge on Pre-Kindergarten Effects” (2017) reviewed the current status of preschool education in the United States. Some of their major findings include:

•  All kids benefit from preschool, but poor and disadvantaged kids make the most gains.
• Dual language learners show large benefits in both developing English language proficiency and academic skills
• Successful programs rely on well implemented evidenced-based curriculum delivered by teachers that have received quality training

Nationwide nearly 55% of 3-5 year-olds attend a center-based preschool program. That means that 45% of preschool aged children do not participate in any early childhood programs. The percentage of preschool participation increases to 75-80% if the family income is over $97,000. Families with income levels at or below the poverty level are more likely (50%) to participate in federally subsidized programs like Head Start, designed to serve these families. The percentage participation drops below 50% for families with incomes between the federal poverty level ($24,250) and $48,500.

In a recent parent survey conducted by the RISE Prepared for School Workgroup, 53.4% of the Treasure Valley parents who responded to the survey said their children were enrolled in a preschool program. In Canyon County, which has a higher level of poverty than the surrounding area, that percentage dropped to 44%.  According to the survey, the number one reason for parents not to enroll their children in a program was cost.

And what are the benefits of preschool for children? 

Here’s one example from a rural community in the Treasure Valley with a high percentage of poverty (61% of its children in grades K-3 are eligible for free and reduced lunches):

The Weiser School District conducted an informal study of the preparedness of children for kindergarten by administering a pre-reading and math assessment when those children registered for school.  The children who had been enrolled in a center-based preschool program scored twice as high on the readiness assessment. In the most recent administration of the fall IRI (2019) those children who had participated in a preschool program scored significantly higher on the iStation reading assessment than those students who had not participated. Fifty percent (50%) of the children who had participated in preschool were rated “at grade level” on their first IRI compared to 12% of their peers who had not participated in any program. 

Many other communities in Idaho have partnered with the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children and its partners to promote "Preschool the Idaho Way". The evidence continues to mount in favor of providing pre-school opportunities for children in Idaho.