Isles among 11 states that lack a state-funded preschool

Hawaii remains among a minority of states without a state-funded preschool program, according to a new report that also shows spending for preschool programs in other states is declining. Eleven states didn’t offer state-funded programs in 2011, up from 10 in 2010.

The bad news, detailed in the latest "State of Preschool" report from the National Institute for Early Education, comes as Hawaii looks to build a publicly funded preschool program over the next few years with state dollars saved by ending junior kindergarten.

Nationally, the study concludes the situation is gloomy. Total state funding for preschool programs across the country declined by about $60 million, the second consecutive year of funding drops, and per-child funding dropped in 26 states, when adjusted for inflation. Arizona eliminated an early childhood grant to become the 11th state with no preschool program.

The report, scheduled for release today, notes that while Hawaii does not have state-funded preschool, it is showing the beginnings of a program, with pilot proj­ects at two elementary schools and preschool subsidies for low-income parents through the state’s Race to the Top initiatives, aimed at boosting student achievement.

MEANWHILE, bills moving through the Legislature would create a state Office of Early Learning charged with implementing a plan for creating a universal early childhood education system. The system would serve preschool-age kids along with late-born 5-year-olds, who are now served through the junior kindergarten program.

Terry Lock, the state’s early childhood coordinator, said the state will be seeking legislative funding next year to help develop the start of the new preschool program.

She said it’s too early to say how much will be sought.

The state has also said it will partner with private entities to offer services.

The "State of Preschool" report estimates that in 2011 about 10 percent of 4-year-olds and 5 percent of 3-year-olds in the islands were served through Head Start, the federally funded preschool program for low-income children.

That amounts to about 2,700 children statewide.

About 1,500 3- and 4-year-olds attend state-funded special-education preschool classes.

State statistics show that about 58 percent of this year’s incoming class of kindergartners attended preschool, but that number is much lower in some areas.