By Andy Klotz—
MUNCIE, Ind. – When Muncie Community Schools (MCS) submitted its Innovation Plan to the State of Indiana in June, 2020, it listed high quality early learning opportunities for all children in Muncie as one of its five “pillars of focus.” Due to partnerships with By5 of Muncie/Delaware County, the YMCA, the Muncie Boys and Girls Club and Huffer Memorial Children’s Center, MCS now has high-quality, low-cost pre-K classrooms at all six of its elementary schools.
Indiana defines a high-quality pre-K program as one that is rated by the state as Level 3 or 4 on its Path to Quality ratings. As a result of MCS programs achieving this high-quality rating, its students from lower income families can qualify for On My Way Pre-K funding.
From 2015-2021, researchers from Purdue University studied the impact of Level 3 or Level 4 Pre-K programs on kindergarten readiness and the continued impact on these children as they reached grades 3 and 4. The study, released this week, assessed the children’s readiness for the start of school by evaluating six different literacy, language and math skills. Performance in grades 3 and 4 was assessed by analyzing iLearn scores, attendance, discipline and special education data.
The results of the study are clear and persuasive: attendance at high-quality pre-K programs better prepares children for academic success.
On My Way Pre-K Study Results
In terms of school readiness, those On My Way Pre-K students outperformed similarly situated students who did not attend a Level 3 or Level 4 program. Likewise, the attending students achieved more positive learning trajectories that were maintained throughout their kindergarten year.
This positive trajectory included achievements of greater literacy skills, improved language comprehension and superior word decoding skills. As literacy and language skills are the essential foundations for reading, and reading is the foundation for all future learning, the positive impact of On My Way Pre-K for these students is monumental.
These benefits are further illustrated by the study’s results concerning Indiana students in grades 3 and 4. It shows that On My Way Pre-K students scored higher than the comparison students on the iLearn test in both Math and English/Language Arts. While standardized test scores are but one measure of student achievement, this analysis strongly indicates that the benefits of On My Way Pre-K programs are maintained over a longer term and will boost these students’ chances of succeeding in elementary school and well beyond.
MCS is proud to have this program as part of the district’s offerings to children and families, and appreciates the community partners participating. The Purdue study points out that On My Way Pre-K programs need to place additional focus on professional development of Pre-K faculty and improved curriculum in order to improve teaching. It is also anticipated that these recommendations will broaden the positive impacts to include the enhanced development of certain social, math, literacy and executive function skills.
As if anticipating this finding, in 2021, MCS commenced implementing such professional development and curricular improvements to its Pre-K programming. In spite of the pandemic, we are already seeing the positive impact of such changes.
“It is gratifying to see the Purdue study results, especially as they confirm what By5 and MCS have been conveying to Muncie families for nearly a decade,” MCS School Board President James Williams said. “This programming makes a real difference in children’s lives, in their families’ lives, and in our own success. Over the long term, it will make a positive impact on our community’s quality of life.”
Anyone looking to assist in this effort can do so in the following ways:
- Volunteer at an MCS school
- Donate funds, books or supplies
- Encourage family, friends, neighbors and acquaintances to enroll their 3- and 4-year-old children in a high-quality pre-K program at MCS or elsewhere
- Spread the news of this expanding program
For more information about MCS’ Pre-K program and other student services, please visit https://www.muncie.k12.in.us/departments/student-services.
About Muncie Community Schools
Serving the local community since 1855, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) educates more than 5,000 students at six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school while also managing several other educational facilities. Through its unique partnership with Ball State University, MCS strives to maximize each student’s potential so he or she can be a positive, productive member of society. Find out more about MCS or Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski at muncieschools.org.
