Public schools educate 91% of the 5 million students in Texas. Investment in pre-K programs helps close achievement gaps, as studies show students who attend pre-K perform better in 3rd grade and have longer term benefits. However, state funding for pre-K has been cut, eliminating grants for full-day pre-K and reducing funding to evaluate pre-K program quality by over half. Restoring this funding would strengthen public schools.

1. WHO EDUCATES 5 MILLION
TEXAS STUDENTS?
Texas public schools educate 5 million students.
Investment in Pre-K gives us a chance to close the
achievement gap before it starts. Research shows that
PUBLIC
SCHOOLS 91%
Private Schools 6%
participation in Pre-K cuts the school readiness gap Public Charters 3%
in half on entry into kindergarten.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS PRIVATE SCHOOLS PUBLIC CHARTERS
4,823,842 313,360 154,278
Pre-K Provides Measurable Benefits for Students
“ You wouldn’t
A recent study by the University of Texas found Texas students in Pre-K
performed better on 3rd grade reading and math assessments than
students not attending Pre-K, with the greatest gains among economically
just cut out disadvantaged and Limited English Proficient students who make up an
increasing portion of the Texas population.
While the gains are most notable among economically disadvantaged
second grade. and minority children, middle class children benefit as well and
may have greater access problems because they are not eligible for
government programs according to the National Education Policy Center.
Why are we Students who attend Pre-K fare better throughout their lives. Benefits include
fewer students held back in school, fewer students in special education,
just cutting higher high school graduation and college admission rates, and fewer students
entering the criminal justice or welfare systems.
out Pre-K?” Funding Cuts Fell Heavily on Pre-K
State per-child funding for Pre-K has fallen so low that it is now lower
in real dollars than it was in 2001-2002. Cuts during the last legislative
– Pre-K Educator, session zeroed out funding for Pre-Kindergarten Early Start Grants that
Quoted in “Transforming Public Education: Pathway to allow districts to offer full-day Pre-K, and cut funding for the School
a Pre-K-12 Future” (The Pew Center on the States) Readiness Certification System which evaluates the quality of Pre-K programs
by more than half.
TAKE ACTION Here’s what the Texas legislature can do to keep public schools strong:
• Restore funding for Prekindergarten Early Start Grant • Reward high-performing Pre-K programs with Formula
that allows school districts to offer full-day Pre-K. Funding for full-day Pre-K for qualifying 4-year olds.
If a district has received a Pre-K Center of Excellence designation
• Restore funding for the School Readiness Certification for their full-day Pre-K program under the School Readiness
System, which measures quality Pre-K programs. Certification System for two years in a row, reward the district
with formula funding. Give these high-performing programs funds
for voluntary, high-quality full-day Pre-K for all 4-year olds
meeting current eligibility requirements.
PRE-K & EARLY LEGISLATIVE ADVERTISING PAID FOR BY: David Anthony, CEO, Raise Your Hand Texas
3200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 2070 | Houston, TX 77027
CHILDHOOD ED. P 713.993.7667 | F 713.993.7691 | www.RaiseYourHandTexas.org