We need to work hard to help our
youngest children arrive on the first day of kindergarten
prepared to take advantage of what lies ahead. Across our
state, there's one thing educators agree on: Tennessee needs
a strong pre-K program.
--Governor Phil Bredesen
Sign up for Updates
 |
|---|
What is the Governor’s Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program for all 4-year olds?
The goal of every Tennessee Pre-K classroom will be to provide our 4-year-old children 
with the learning experiences they need in order to succeed in kindergarten.
The Tennessee Voluntary Pre-K Program for All 4-year-olds will prepare children for school by providing an opportunity for them to develop school readiness skills in an environment that fosters the love and joy of learning.
Participation in the Pre-K program will help children develop pre-academic and social skills that will help them in their educational career.
Basic Principles
- Voluntary – Parents, communities and school districts can decide locally whether they want and need high quality Pre-K classrooms.
- Access For All – Pre-K in Tennessee will be accessible to all 4-year olds, with an emphasis on at-risk students and high priority communities.
- Maintain Existing High Standards – Keep the high quality standards already in place with the Tennessee pilot Pre-K program regarding small class size, curriculum requirements and certified teachers.
- Applying to Match State Dollars – The local school district will serve as the applicant for matching state funds . Local school districts will be accountable for matching state dollars based on their BEP formula state/local match requirement. Local school districts will have the ability to use federal funds, private dollars or in-kind resources as part of their local match.
- Flexible Local Partnerships – Communities, through their local school districts, will have the ability to contract and partner with non-school providers, i.e., non–profit, for–profit and local Head Start programs.
- Community Coordination and Planning – Each school district will create and facilitate a community “Pre-K Advisory Council” which will provide formal input into the application and plan to expand pre-k classrooms. Representation will include, but not be limited to, parents, teachers, non-school providers, Head Start, the business community and local government leaders.
- Office of Early Learning – A strong, centralized office will monitor the programs for accountability; oversee the application process; consult with local communities/school systems about new programs; work closely with child care providers and Head Start programs and serve as a clearinghouse of information. This office will work in close partnership with the Department of Human Services Child Care programs.
- Resources for Teachers – A scholarship/support fund will be developed for professional development training and specifically to help teachers attain the ultimate goal of being certified in early childhood development.
- Existing Pilot Programs – The 148 existing pilot Pre-K programs will be "grandfathered" into this initiative at the current state funding level, but they will have the opportunity to transition into the new, expanded Pre-K program. 100% locally funded Pre-K school-based programs will also have the opportunity to apply for the new, expanded Pre-K program.
- No Unfunded Mandates – Expand the program as (state and local) budgets allow with the ultimate goal of fully incorporating the program fully into the Basic Education Program (BEP) formula.