A new report concludes that high-quality preschool can help bridge the achievement gap in school, by ensuring that all children start kindergarten well prepared to learn.

The final report in the RAND Corporation’s series on California’s preschool system also confirms that Early Childhood Education is a critical part of K-12 reform. The study states that investing in Early Childhood Education can close California’s achievement gap in school.

“Closing California’s achievement gap begins with ensuring all of our children start kindergarten well prepared to learn,” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’ Connell. “High-quality preschool provides the foundation for children to succeed in school and in our increasingly competitive global economy.”

RAND’s California Preschool Study, the first comprehensive statewide look at early care and education for preschool-age children in the state, concluded that California has a significant achievement gap that is evident as early as kindergarten entry. If finds that socio-economically disadvantaged children are more likely to begin kindergarten without the basic early reading and social skills that prepare them to learn and succeed.

By third-grade, almost two-thirds of children are not proficient in English-language arts, and 42 percent are not proficient in math, the report said. And the same groups of children who start out behind tend to stay behind, the study concluded. The number of students who do not reach proficiency is even higher for low-income children and for children who are Latino, African American and English Learners.

“This study confirms the immense value of a high-quality preschool education, and how it has positive long-term effects on children as they enter the K-12 school system,” said Dr. Gary Mangiofico, CEO of LAUP. “At LAUP, we want to ensure that every child has the same opportunity to succeed in school and beyond, and as this report shows, a high-quality preschool education provides the foundation for children to succeed in life.”

Although California is currently grappling with a multi-billion dollar budget deficit that is stifling calls for investment in Early Childhood Education, the report stated the state stands to receive $500 million in federal stimulus money. It also referred to President Obama’s FY2010 budget proposal, which calls for more than $1 billion for new and existing federal programs supporting Early Childhood Education programs.

“For California, this couldn’t come at a better time,” said Preschool California President Catherine Atkin. “We urge policymakers to maximize the opportunities presented by new federal funds to lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. We can make a down payment on the success of our next generation by giving them a complete a competitive education, starting in their earliest years.”

To address achievement gap challenges, RAND recommends ensuring high-quality preschool programs are available to the children who need it most; measuring and monitoring quality; and providing higher reimbursements to providers who achieve higher quality; creating a well-designed, coordinated plan to prepare teachers; and advancing toward a more efficient and coordinated system.

For more information, including links to the RAND study and executive summary, please visit: http://www.preschoolcalifornia.org/rand-study/.