Voluntary Pre-K for Tennessee - The Facts
(HB2333/SB2317)

MYTH: The Governor is starting a brand new Pre-K program.

FACT: This bill expands the existing pilot Pre-K program started in 1998. The pilot program is nationally recognized for its high quality standards – class size ratio; teacher certification; and State Board-approved curriculum.

MYTH:This bill will require that all 4-year-old children attend 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:This bill 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 existing 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: High quality Pre-K is not babysitting nor is it simply children sitting at desks. A Tennessee parent walking into a high quality Pre-K classroom will immediately see children learning and engaged, using State Board-approved, age-appropriate curriculum.

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: These high quality standards have been in place with our pilot program since 1998. These standards coupled with a certified teacher, small class size and age-appropriate curriculum have produced significant results – Tennessee students in our pilot Pre-K program scored higher on achievement tests than the state average for all students.

Students who participated in the 180-day program out scored the children who participated fewer than 180 days.

MYTH:The Governor’s proposal is based on one-time, non-recurring funds.

FACT: The Governor’s budget calls for $25 M in recurring lottery excess to serve as a down payment to jumpstart the existing program. $25 M from the lottery excess will be earmarked every year for Pre-K.

As local communities demand more programs and as we see success, the Governor plans to work together with the General Assembly to find general fund dollars to grow the program on a step-by-step basis.

MYTH:This Pre-K initiative is just another entitlement program – it needs over $200 million for universal coverage.

FACT: It is voluntary. The bill 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 to start a new, comprehensive program such as Pre-K – we have many other needs to address.

FACT: Acting now will benefit Tennessee in the long run.

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 ed referrals, decrease welfare dependency and decrease criminal activity.

MYTH:The Pre-K program will not include private providers and Head Start.

FACT: This proposal allows and encourages high quality private providers and Head Start programs to partner with schools systems to participate – as long as the high quality standards are met. The Governor does not want to mandate a one-size-fits-all program.

Every community will be required to establish a local Pre-K advisory council to help craft the local program and develop the application. Local councils will include private providers and Head Start representatives.

MYTH:Pre-K programs only impact teachers and schools.

FACT: 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 Bush and the First Lady, former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt and former Georgia Governor and Senator Zell Miller.