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NJDOE
ABBOTT PRESCHOOL STUDY HIGHLIGHTS NEED TO IMPROVE FACILITIES
On
March 26, 2004, the New Jersey Department of Education and
a consortium of university researchers released findings from
an assessment of Abbott
preschool program quality. Although the report
highlights progress made since the program was launched in
1999, the report also underscores the need to address the
facilities in which many preschool programs are currently
housed.
The
study shows that Abbott preschools score in the average range
on overall program quality, with significant improvement in
the quality of classroom instruction since 1999. The overall
quality ratings, however, are depressed by the inadequate
condition of space and furnishings, and the overall condition
of preschool facilities.
The
study provides further support for ELC’s call for NJDOE
to require Abbott districts to assess all preschool facilities
– including all community providers’ buildings -
as part of their 2005-2010 long-range facilities planning
process next year. Districts must also be required to engage
local preschool providers in the upcoming assessment and planning
process.
Finally,
the study underscores the need for the NJDOE and the NJ School
Construction Corporation to make capital funding and financing
available for Abbott districts to ensure that all Abbott preschool
facilities are upgraded to meet the standards of preschool
educational adequacy, including those operated by community
providers and Head Start agencies.
The
full report, entitled, Inch
by Inch, Row by Row, Gonna Make This Garden Grow,
written by Cynthia Lamy, EdD, Ellen Frede, PhD, et al. is
available on the web. For ELC’s detailed assessment of
the preschool facilities regulations, see NJ
Department of Education Proposed Facilities Regulations: Analysis
of Preschool Issues.
Prepared: April 6, 2004 |
