California Needs Quality Preschool, Says RAND Study

“They know the difference between a number and a letter…they know what a color or shape is, they can sit quietly.” And, he adds: “A child that didn’t have that experience they come in, they want to play because basically that’s all they know…But today the rigors of kindergarten don't allow kids to just come and play. They need to be ready to learn their letters and numbers.”

Boyd’s experiences align with the findings of two RAND studies released on Nov. 8. The studies look at the potential for quality pre-school to narrow the achievement gap and also expose the current conditions of California’s publicly funded preschool programs.

RAND researchers and preschool proponents believe that pre-school education enables students to enter kindergarten with basic academic skills, as well as such important social skills as sharing, participating and following instructions. They feel that the data in the study shows that those who don’t have this opportunity are left at a disadvantage.

“Those who start behind, stay behind,” said Rand senior economist and RAND Study author Lynn Karoly. Karoly, who presented the research at Washington Elementary Preschool in Sacramento last week, says she has found that the achievement gap exists before children even begin elementary school.

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