"We will provide the same high-quality curriculum that we currently provide to our pre-K students for our tuition-based students as well," CFISD Chief Academic Officer Tonya Goree said during a Jan. 13 board work session. "The state requires progress monitoring, ... and we have the same student-teacher ratio. ... We will continue to evaluate the program based on student data."
The specifics
The Texas Education Agency-approved program will be offered at all CFISD elementary campuses for children who do not meet the state's qualified pre-K eligibility requirements. To be eligible for no-cost pre-K, children must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1 and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Be unable to speak and comprehend English
- Be eligible for free or reduced lunch prices based on family income
- Be homeless
- Be the child of an active duty member of the U.S. armed forces
- Be the child of a member of the U.S. armed forces who was injured or killed while serving
- Be or have been in the foster care system
- Be the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award
- Be transferred from a previously enrolled school district in Texas
CFISD Chief of Staff Teresa Hull said during the board work session that the tuition-based pre-K program could help the school district as it continues to see a decline in elementary enrollment.
"We see this program as having a long-term impact," Hull said. "With declines in elementary enrollment, this program provides the opportunity to maximize the capacity at under-utilized campuses."
The tuition-based pre-K program is designed for children who are 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, according to the CFISD website.
Tuition and fees are:
- Community members (resident and non-resident): $650 per month
- CFISD employees: $600 per month
- Registration fee: $50 (non-refundable)
Paid pre-K students attending their zoned campus are eligible for transportation services. However, those attending a campus outside their zone are not, CFISD Director of General Administration Scott Tucker said during the board work session.
CFISD officials said parents of paid pre-K students must agree to specific program requirements, which include attendance expectations, operating hours and policies regarding late pick-ups and payment issues.
Registration information will be available later this spring, according to the news release.
Measuring the impact
A 2019 study conducted by Texans Care for Children, a nonprofit that helps Texas children and families succeed, found that pre-K programs increase students' readiness for kindergarten. The study revealed that 58% of eligible children who attend public pre-K programs are kindergarten-ready, while 42% of children who do not attend are considered kindergarten-ready.
According to the study, full-day pre-K programs can improve high school graduation rates and college attendance.