South Carolina Future Minds, Innovation for Public Education

The Charleston County School District plans to offer full-day, pre-kindergarten classes for all of its low-income students within the next five years.

The school district hasn't had the space or money to offer early childhood education for everyone who needs it, but the school board has signed off on a $1.2 million plan that will add five more 4-year-old classes to five schools next year. The money will cover the cost of installing and equipping the mobile units needed to house students as well as the teachers and teacher assistants' salaries.

The plan calls for additional classes to be added to five schools each year so that all of the district's highest poverty schools will have the space, equipment and teachers to offer effective pre-kindergarten programs. Nearly 1,700 pre-kindergarten students were served in district classes this year, and that number could increase to as many as 2,600 within five years. School leaders' ultimate vision is to have pre-kindergarten for all students, regardless of income, said Lerah Lee, the district's director of early childhood education.

District officials plan to return to the board each year with an estimate on the cost of expanding pre-kindergarten classes. The state doesn't include money for pre-kindergarten students in its basic funding formula for schools, but School Superintendent Nancy McGinley said the pre-kindergarten classes have a long-term benefit for students.

"This expands the safety network we're attempting to provide," she told the board last month during its meeting.

Board member Gregg Meyers told the board that its support of the expenditure is basically pre-approving an item for next year's budget. He said he'd like for officials to link this expense to the program's results because that explains why it's worthwhile.

"It's probably among the most cost-effective dollars we can spend," he said.

A 2007 study of the effectiveness of the county's pre-kindergarten classes showed that students were successful in improving their language, concept and motor skills. Students were tested in the fall and spring to determine the degree that the district's program helped prepare them for school. County students' initial average score ranked them in the 23rd percentile, well below the 50th percentile national average, but their score at the end of the year was in the 85th percentile.

Board Chairwoman Ruth Jordan said the district can't wait until students are in high school to address their reading problems; it must begin in pre-kindergarten. Schools must provide opportunities for good learning environments and exposure to students, she said.

"I think this would be the greatest investment we could make if we're truly committed to literacy," she said.

The elementary schools that will receive more spots for pre-kindergarten students next year are Ladson, Pepperhill, Corcoran, Memminger and Angel Oak. Angel Oak Elementary Principal Rodney Moore could have filled nearly two pre-kindergarten classes this year but only had the money and space for one. Some of the 18 students on his school's waiting list were placed at nearby elementary schools' pre-kindergarten classes while others couldn't find the transportation to get there and consequently couldn't enroll this year, he said.

The more students in pre-kindergarten classes, the better the school's overall achievement, Moore said.

"It's definitely one of the strategies to decrease the achievement gap so children come ready for kindergarten," he said. "This program helps with that."

Anne Stevens, Angel Oak's pre-kindergarten teacher, said she sees her children learn so much during the school year. Some come in without knowing how to hold a pencil, but they leave knowing how to write their name. They leave her class better prepared for kindergarten than many of their peers, she said.

"It should be provided to all children," Stevens said.

The board also has given district leaders the go-ahead to investigate a pilot Early Learning Center that would open in 2013-14 and would serve students from birth through age 3.

Board member Elizabeth Kandrac was the lone vote against the plan, and she took issue with the possibility of serving students before age 4. It seemed as if the district was taking responsibility away from parents and handling it for them, and she said that scared her. McGinley said the center would offer classes for parents.

Reach Diette Courrégé at 937-5546 or dcourrege@postandcourier.com.