Copy of Policy Project

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by Aria Cook3 views·Updated May 31, 2021
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  1. Hi, my name is Aria Cook, and here is my
  2. project um preschool for all.
  3. So looking at policy for universal pre K.
  4. So what is the problem, starting with the problem analysis
  5. in the state of Maryland?
  6. Preschool is offered 23 and four year olds, but only
  7. if they come from a low income family.
  8. The student has special educational needs or the student is
  9. homeless. So when looking at Universal Preschool, the state of
  10. Maryland has no implementation of universal preschool for Children ages
  11. 3-4, regardless of income.
  12. So looking at this graph, it shows that majority of
  13. the population does not attend a preschool program prior to
  14. entering um kindergarten.
  15. And this is problematic.
  16. Um This is problematic because there are low scores on
  17. state readiness assessments um which presents achievement gaps.
  18. There's also increased costs for childcare um as these Children
  19. are not in preschool there, either in daycares or other
  20. facilities that require additional costs.
  21. And then the new age requirement, which has a cut
  22. off age limit in september, so there's a whole group
  23. of students who then has to wait another year before
  24. they're eligible to begin um kindergarten.
  25. Some progress has been made um in the state of
  26. Maryland. In 2006 there was a bill passed, the HB
  27. 1466 was passed um and that was to kind of
  28. start the rest of this timeline.
  29. It started the task force.
  30. Um in 2007, the task force established six goals which
  31. looked at developing the commission, Which in 2016, the Commission
  32. established and reviewed funding and policy implementation.
  33. Um and then in 2020 they presented their final report,
  34. which included um financial reports, um and look at preliminary
  35. numbers for how many people would be enrolled.
  36. Um And that's where we are.
  37. So there still hasn't been any information to move this
  38. process, this um platform into fruition.
  39. So if we look at some alternatives or some solutions,
  40. um there could potentially be vouchers for childcare.
  41. So this would help with the financial burden placed on
  42. families. Um We could look at possibly providing and at
  43. home learning curriculum to help better prepare the students.
  44. Um Or we could model the pre K.
  45. For all program which was developed in new york.
  46. Um This pre K for all program is in new
  47. york. Public schools established in 2000 and 14 and it
  48. provides free full day high quality pre K.
  49. Um services to every three, Well it started with four
  50. year olds regardless of income.
  51. Um and currently there are 68,000 students involved and then
  52. it did expand to include three year olds.
  53. Yeah, so evaluation criteria, so these are measures used to
  54. keep objectives and to remain focused on the issues.
  55. Um So the first one is effectiveness.
  56. Um effectiveness of a policy is important because stakeholders want
  57. to know that the policy is working um and that
  58. it is solving the problem that it is set to
  59. do so.
  60. Um And then if not then amendments or changes should
  61. be warranted.
  62. Um the next one is efficiency.
  63. So stakeholders look at how the most progress can be
  64. made without wasting resources.
  65. So the main resource will be financial needs.
  66. Um And then this looks at being able to determine
  67. if the resources are maximized and justifiable.
  68. Yeah. And we look at feasibility.
  69. So feasibility examines the level of support for the policy.
  70. It is important to evaluate how much support will be
  71. gained to implement the changes that the policy would set
  72. forth. Yeah.
  73. So if we take a look at assessing the alternatives
  74. that we previously discussed um using the criteria measures um
  75. vouchers for childcare, looking at effectiveness.
  76. Um This would solve the issues of rising childcare costs
  77. um In order for it to be efficient, we would
  78. have to determine, you know what that voucher amount would
  79. be. Um In terms of feasibility, I think the public
  80. would have a greater support um due to the benefit.
  81. Um Lawmakers may not be as enthused as there is
  82. a financial component.
  83. I'm looking at the second alternative, which is the home
  84. learning curriculum effectiveness.
  85. Um It would help the students and they would receive
  86. the content thus being um more ready for kindergarten.
  87. Um This could potentially have minimal cost.
  88. Um and then feasibility lawmakers would be in favour um
  89. as there is a lower risk, but the public may
  90. not agree as much as it will require the parent
  91. or guardian to assume the teacher role.
  92. And the third option is the pre K.
  93. For all model.
  94. So students are better prepared with foundational skills um and
  95. that will lead to improve readiness.
  96. Um There is a cost associated but it can be
  97. budgeted and phased into fruition.
  98. Um And then feasibility.
  99. The steps have already been taken for implementation.
  100. Um If we look back at the previous timeline where
  101. models have been drawn and steps have been taken to
  102. look at how the program would work in Maryland.
  103. Yeah. Um and then looking at the conclusions or benefits.
  104. Um So here shows the benefits of high quality pre
  105. K. So the educational impacts um where there will be
  106. lower special education, lower grade retention, um and then higher
  107. completion of high school, the social emotional impact, fewer behavioural
  108. problems, more self control and improved relations.
  109. And then just overall well being, less, child abuse, neglect
  110. and mistreatment.
  111. Um and this data comes from um what from 2007.
  112. And here are the references.
  113. Thank you