Children’s Institute conducted a statewide survey of school districts in Oregon in the spring/summer of 2015. We wanted to learn and document what preschool services are being provided, and to inform policy decisions as Oregon implements the new program approved by the 2015 Oregon Legislature that will expand publicly funded preschool to more children from low-income Oregon families. Ninety-one of the state’s 188 school districts took part in the survey.
The survey findings underscore the urgent need for Oregon to build a system of support for high-quality preschool that includes professional development and guidance for K-12 school districts. Without designated funding or assistance, school districts have been building preschool programs independently in an effort to meet the needs of their children and families. What they need, and what Oregon needs, is a common understanding of preschool standards that outline the key components of quality required to improve child outcomes. Those standards can then connect schools to a system of supports to bolster quality implementation.