ERIC Number: EJ780742
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Nov
Pages: 8
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1040-9289
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Importance of Demographic, Social, and Political Context for Estimating Policy Impacts: Comment on "Implementing New York's Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program"
Barnett, W. Steven
Early Education and Development, v18 n4 p609-616 Nov 2007
Morrissey, Leikes, and Cochran (this issue) raise concerns about potential negative effects of state pre-kindergarten (pre-K) on the early care and education system. To put their study in context, I reviewed national demographic and enrollment trends. I found little evidence of negative effects from state pre-K policy. One reason may be that population growth and child care policies mitigated potential negative impacts of pre-K expansion. However, national averages could conceal important local variations or even nationwide variations when there are offsetting gains and losses. Children under age 5, their families, and their teachers all likely gained from increases in public pre-K. Infant/toddler care in private programs expanded as quickly as public pre-K. Morrissey and colleagues' small data set from New York has serious limitations, but some of the most salient findings are consistent with the national picture. The study offers lessons and suggests topics for future research on the influence of pre-K policy on the early care and education system.
Descriptors: Population Growth, Program Effectiveness, Enrollment Trends, Policy Analysis, Urban Demography, Context Effect, Preschool Evaluation, Preschool Education, Social Environment, Equal Education, Educational Policy, Educational Indicators
Lawrence Erlbaum. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/default.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Opinion Papers
Education Level: Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New York
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A