PDG PROGRESS UPDATE 1

PRESCHOOL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

PROGRESS UPDATE Preschool Development Grants

Through the Preschool Development Grants (PDG) program, 18 states are expanding access to high-quality 

programs for 4-year-olds from low- to moderate-income families in over 230 high-need communities. 

Data from all grantees and subgrantees, as reported in the Annual Performance Reports (APRs) covering 

January 1 to December 31 of 2015, found that over 28,000 additional children benefited from high-quality 

preschool in their local communities because of these grants. Details about how these preschool programs 

are funded can be seen in the graph below. 

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

AL AR CT IL LA ME MD MA NJ NY RI TN VT VA

2,036

AZ

1,252

HI

75

MT

462

NV

782

2,638

3,110

1,087

479

2,732

702

1,636

2,385

260

4,778

359

2,804

Funded with PDG and funding other than Head Start and existing state preschool funds

Funded with PDG and Head Start

Funded only with PDG Funded with PDG and existing state preschool funds

New Slots Improved Slots

FUNDING FOR NEW AND IMPROVED SLOTS

(Total = 28,202)

625

0

New slots are those in which PDG funds are used alone, with Head Start funds, or with other funding besides existing 

state preschool funds. An improved slot is one which is funded using PDG funds and existing state preschool funds to 

meet the definition of high-quality preschool programs.

States met nearly 90 percent of their targets 

for the number of children served. Six 

states—Alabama, Louisiana, New Jersey, 

New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia—met 

or substantially exceeded their targets, 

reaching 1,387 more children than planned. 

The five Development Grants states—

Alabama, Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, and 

Nevada—were just beginning to build or 

expand their preschool systems, yet still 

provided 4,607 children with high-quality 

preschool in this first year, even though 

they were not required to serve children 

until the second year.

RAISING THE BAR ON QUALITY

The 28,202 children served in the 2015-2016 school year, as reported In the states’ APRs, benefited from quality 

environments, and teachers benefited from salaries that are comparable to elementary school teachers.

Programs were required to meet 12 high-quality standards:

Staff with high-level qualifications 

High-quality professional development

Child-staff ratios of 10:1

Class sizes of no more than 20 children

Full-day programs

Inclusion of children with disabilities

Individualized accommodations and supports 

for all children

Developmentally appropriate, culturally and linguistically 

responsive instruction, and evidence-based curricula 

aligned to state early learning standards

Comparable and equitable educator salaries

Program evaluation for continuous 

improvement

Comprehensive services to include screenings, family 

engagement, and nutrition

Evidence-based health and safety standards

The Preschool Development Grants (PDG) program is a discretionary grant program jointly administered by the U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services 

(HHS). Eighteen states were awarded funding through a competitive grants process including five Development Grants states (Alabama, Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, and Nevada) and 

thirteen Expansion Grants States (Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Virginia). 

Data for this Progress Update is as of December 1, 2015.
PDG PROGRESS UPDATE 2

ADVANCING EARLY LEARNING REFORMS

Using PDG grants and their own funds, states put in place promising practices and created new and improved early learning 

environments. While all states advanced the reforms below, these states made noteworthy progress as described in their APR.

Developing Highly Qualified 

Professionals

Building Birth-3rd Grade 

Connections

Strengthening Family 

Partnerships

Focusing on Aligned Standards, 

Curricula, and Practices

In Alabama, Virginia, 

Massachusetts, Louisiana, and 

Tennessee, teachers benefited 

from scholarship opportunities, 

on-site coaching and mentoring, 

professional development, and 

peer-to-peer learning exchanges.

Illinois, Maine, and Maryland

established leadership 

initiatives that connect 

preschool through third grade 

educators to build a shared 

vision for the children in their 

communities.

Arkansas, 

Connecticut, and 

Hawaii developed 

and expanded family 

partnerships to create 

positive home-school 

connections.

New Jersey, Arizona, and 

Vermont aligned standards, 

curricula and practices across 

the birth through third grade 

continuum, creating seamless 

transitions for children and 

families.

MEETING THE NEEDS OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

PERCENTAGE OF CLASSROOMS BY SETTING TYPE

PDG funds can be used to expand preschool in multiple 

settings, including public and private schools, Head Start 

centers, community- and faith-based settings, and on college 

campuses. The graph below depicts the breakdown of PDG 

funds spent on each type of setting.

73.9%

13.4%

6.6%

0.3%

0.1% 4.5%

0.8%

0.5% 

PERCENTAGE OF CLASSROOMS BY SETTING TYPE

KEY

Public and Charter

Private

Community-Based

Other

College/University

or Vocational/Technical

Head Start

Tribe or Indian

Family, Friend, or

Neighbor

73.4%

13.3%

6.8%

0.7%

0.1%

4.5%

0.8%

0.4% 

PERCENTAGE OF CLASSROOMS BY SETTING TYPE

KEY

Public and Charter

Private

Community-Based

Other

College/University

or Vocational/Technical

Head Start

Tribe or Indian

Family, Friend, or

Neighbor

4.5%

CHILDREN REPORTED BY DEMOGRAPHIC CATEGORY

Nearly 20% of the students served were English Leaners. 

Some children were served in mixed-age programs and in 

mixed socio-economic status programs. The graph below 

represents the diverse population served. However, some 

programs did not or were unable to report the background 

of all children and families.

28,026

TOTAL NEW AND 

IMPROVED SLOTS

*

*One child pictured is equal to approximately 400 new or improved slots

16,418 new and 11,608 improved slots have 

been created that provided children access to 

high-quality preschool in their local communities.

sh Language Learners Mixed Age 

Classrooms

Children In 

Welfare System

Other

Populations 3,597

2,000 4,000 6,000

English Language 

Learners

Economically

Diverse Settings

4,337

3,309

5,286

6,203

*

Other populations reported include migrant families, military families, 

homeless families, those residing on Indian lands, and children with disabilities.

*

SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

In their PDG applications, states committed to provide inclusive opportunities for children with disabilities. Across all the grantees, 

of the 28,202 children served, 2,391 (8.5%) were children with disabilities, above the national average of four-year-old children 

with disabilities in the United States (6.4%). Yet, based on the available data, not all subgrantees are meeting their targets for 

serving children with disabilities in 

inclusive settings. Of the subgrantees 

that reported data, 194 of the 442 

subgrantees (43.9 %), met or exceeded 

the established state target to serve 

the state average of 4-year-old children 

with disabilities in the state or the 

national average, whichever is higher, 

in inclusive classrooms. Many states 

and programs used the ED and HHS 

“Policy Statement on Inclusion of 

Children with Disabilities in Early 

Childhood Programs” to guide their 

efforts in improving inclusive practices, 

benefitting all children.

10%

20%

30%

AL AZ HI MT NV AK CT IL LA ME MD MA NJ NY TN VT VA

DEVELOPMENT STATES EXPANSION STATES

0

PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES SERVED IN HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAMS

Percentage of Children with Disabilities National Average of Children with Disabilities

10%

20%

30%

AL AZ AK CT HI IL LA ME MD MA MT NV NJ NY TN VT VA

0

PERCENTAGE OF SUBGRANTEES MEETING OR EXCEEDING THE NATIONAL OR

THEIR STATE AVERAGES FOR INCLUSION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Percentage of Children with Disabilities National Average of Children with Disabilities

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

AL AZ AR CT HI IL LA ME MD MA MT NV NJ NY RI TN VT VA

0

PERCENTAGE OF SUBGRANTEES MEETING OR EXCEEDING 

THE HIGHER OF THE NATIONAL OR STATE AVERAGE FOR INCLUSION*

22.2%

40.9%

61.1%

53.8%

25.0%

70.0%

33.3%

75.0%

37.0%

0.0%

66.7%

57.7%

76.5%

60.0%

83.3%

50.0%

87.5%

36.4%

* See Table 5 in Appendices for additional details on subgrantees. Please note that not all subgrantees 

 reported data about serving children with disabilities.
PDG PROGRESS UPDATE 3

Table 1: Total Slots for All Communities in the State 

(Corresponds with Section C – NIA Part A.1 Tables: Table A.1(b) Total Slots for All Communities in the State)

State

Funded 

Only with 

PDG 

Funded 

with PDG 

and Head 

Start 

Funded with PDG 

and Funding other 

than Head Start 

and Existing State 

Preschool Funds 

Total

New 

Slots

Improved Slots 

Funded with 

PDG and Existing 

State Preschool 

Funds

Total 

New and 

Improved 

Slots

Total 

Target 

New and 

Improved 

Slots

Percentage 

of Target 

Met

AL 0 152 1,884 2,036 0 2,036 1,620 125.7%

AZ 975 270 7 1,252 0 1,252 2,174 57.6%

AR 1,238 0 0 1,238 1,400 2,638 3,896 67.8%

CT 359 0 0 359 266 625 712 87.8%

HI 75 0 0 75 0 75 80 93.8%

IL 1,947 585 27 2,559 551 3,110 3,280 94.8%

LA 309 0 0 309 778 1,087 782 139.0%

ME 104 154 0 258 221 479 621 77.1%

MD 729 259 471 1,459 1,273 2,732 2,833 96.4%

MA 530 58 114 702 0 702 755 93.0%

MT 26 350 86 462 0 462 1,138 40.6%

NV 171 116 218 505 277 782 980 79.8%

NJ 664 173 46 883 753 1,636 1,186 137.9%

NY 1,123 0 0 1,123 1,262 2,385 2,348 101.6%

RI 0 0 260 260 0 260 202 128.7%

TN 860 0 848 1,708 3,070 4,778 4,808 99.4%

VT 0 31 145 176 183 359 1,293 27.8%

VA 1,046 161 23 1,230 1,574 2,804 2,683 104.5%

TOTAL 10,156 2,309 4,129 16,594 11,608 28,202 31,391 89.8%
PDG PROGRESS UPDATE 4

Table 2: Program Settings

(Corresponds with Section C – NIA Part A.1 Tables: Table A.4 Program Settings)

State

Public and 

Charter 

Schools

Private Schools 

(Faith and Non 

Faith-Based)

Head 

Start

Community-Based 

Provider (Faith and 

Non Faith-Based)

Tribe or 

Indian

College, University or 

Vocational/Technical 

School

Family, Friend 

or Neighbor 

Provider Other Total

AL 89 14 8 4 0 1 0 1 117

AZ 35 15 11 0 0 0 2 0 63

AR 205 0 10 0 0 9 0 0 224

CT 23 2 1 26 0 0 0 1 53

HI 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4

IL 136 0 2 32 0 0 0 0 170

LA 1 0 0 17 0 0 0 0 18

ME 34 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 34

MD 100 3 11 25 0 2 0 0 141

MA 4 1 6 29 0 0 0 6 46

MT 14 0 16 0 12 0 0 0 42

NV 38 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 44

NJ 117 0 9 1 0 0 0 0 127

NY 70 43 13 51 0 0 0 0 177

RI 3 0 17 13 0 0 0 0 33

TN 203 0 0 39 0 0 0 0 242

VT 37 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 48

VA 196 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 200

TOTAL

SETTINGS 1,309 80 121 237 12 14 2 8 1,783

PERCENTAGES 73.4% 4.5% 6.8% 13.3% 0.7% 0.8% 0.1% 0.4% 100%
PDG PROGRESS UPDATE 5

Table 3: Student Demographic Information1

(Corresponds with Section C – NIA Table A.1 Tables: Table A.3(a) Demographic Information)

State

With 

Disabilities

Who Reside 

on “Indian 

Lands”

Who are 

from Migrant 

Families

Who are 

English 

Learners

Who are 

Homeless

Who are in the 

Child Welfare 

System

Who are from 

Military Families

Who are Served 

in Mixed Age 

Classrooms

Who are Served in 

Economically Diverse 

Classrooms 

AL 102 NR NR 87 NR NR NR NR NR

AZ 142 9 33 637 1 268 13 313 741

AR 277 NR 3 419 7 21 68 1,287 296

CT 68 0 2 102 20 7 6 274 274

HI 2 0 0 16 2 2 NR 14 14

IL 322 0 0 897 160 183 28 657 363

LA 12 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

ME 100 0 1 49 8 56 5 0 110

MD 216 0 18 202 47 230 6 358 417

MA 17 0 10 194 37 13 1 27 40

MT2 65 167 1 7 17 16 7 89 413

NV 109 2 3 165 55 79 19 150 542

NJ 205 0 6 640 10 17 5 268 687

NY 222 0 54 414 189 2,385 26 18 10

RI3 50 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

TN 283 NR NR 944 60 16 11 699 1,002

VT 98 0 0 0 0 NR NR 183 183

VA 101 0 3 513 56 16 30 0 1,111

TOTAL 2,391 178 134 5,286 669 3,309 225 4,337 6,203

1

 NR = Not Reported

2

 Montana – The data reported for children with disabilities was taken from Table A.3(c).

3

 Rhode Island – The data reported for children with disabilities was taken from Table A.3(c). NR is listed for all other categories as data provided reflected student demographic information for 

all children served in RI State Pre-K, not just eligible children funded through this grant. 
PDG PROGRESS UPDATE 6

Table 4: Number of Eligible Children with Disabilities Served by High Quality Preschool Programs

(Corresponds with Section C – NIA Part A.1 Tables: Table A.3(c) Number of Eligible Children with Disabilities Served by 

High-Quality Preschool Programs funded by this Grant and Served by the Subgrantee)

State

Number of Eligible Children with 

Disabilities Served by the 

High-Quality Preschool 

Programs funded by this grant 

and served by Subgrantee

Number of Eligible Children 

served in the High-Quality 

Preschool Programs funded 

by this grant and served by 

Subgrantee

Percent of Eligible Children with 

Disabilities Served in the High-Quality 

Preschool Programs funded by this 

grant and served by Subgrantee

AL 102 2,036 5.0%

AZ 142 1,252 11.3%

AR 277 2,638 10.5%

CT 68 625 10.9%

HI 2 75 2.7%

IL 322 3,110 10.4%

LA 12 1,087 1.1%

ME 100 479 20.9%

MD 216 2,732 7.9%

MA 17 702 2.4%

MT 65 462 14.1%

NV 109 782 13.9%

NJ 205 1,636 12.5%

NY 222 2,385 9.3%

RI 50 260 19.2%

TN 283 4,778 5.9%

VT 98 359 27.3%

VA 101 2,804 3.6%

TOTAL 2,391 28,202 8.5%
PDG PROGRESS UPDATE 7

Table 5: Number and Percentage of Subgrantees Reported as Meeting and/or Exceeding the Higher of the 

National or State Average for Inclusion 

(Corresponds with Section C – NIA Part A.1 Tables: Table A.3(c) Number of Eligible Children with Disabilities Served by 

the High-Quality Preschool Programs)

STATE

Number of 

Subgrantees 

Reporting Data 

Serving Children 

with Disabilities

Number of Subgrantees 

Reported as Meeting and/

or Exceeding the Higher 

of the National or State 

Average for Including 

Children with Disabilities 

Number of Subgrantees 

Reported as not Meeting and/

or Exceeding the Higher of 

the National or State Average 

for Including Children with 

Disabilities 

 Percentage of 

Subgrantees Reported 

as Meeting and/or 

Exceeding the National 

or State Average 

AL 117 26 91 22.2%

AZ4 44 18 26 40.9%

AR5 18 11 7 61.1%

CT6 13 7 6 53.8%

HI 4 1 3 25.0%

IL7 20 14 6 70.0%

LA 6 2 4 33.3%

ME8 12 9 3 75.0%

MD9 100 37 63 37.0%

MA10 5 0 5 0.0%

MT 12 8 4 66.7%

NV11 26 15 11 57.7%

NJ 17 13 4 76.5%

NY12 5 3 2 60.0%

RI13 12 10 2 83.3%

TN 4 2 2 50.0%

VT14 16 14 2 87.5%

VA 11 4 7 36.4%

TOTAL 442 194 248 52%

4

 Arizona – Excludes 7 subgrantees due to no data provided: Rehoboth Children’s Learning Center, Southwest Human Development, 

Glendale Elementary District, Osborn School District, Kindertots, Peoria Unified School District, and Wesleyan Preschool and Childcare.

5 Arkansas – The Statewide Inclusion Rate of 7.85 percent was used rather than the national average of 6.4 percent.

6 Connecticut – The Statewide Inclusion Rate of 7.32 percent was used rather than the national average of 6.4 percent.

7 Illinois – Excludes 5 subgrantees due to no data provided: One Hope United, Children’s Home and Aid, Metro East PFA-Lighthouse Learning, 

City of Rockford – Department of Human Services (Head Start), and Metropolitan Family Services; The Statewide Inclusion Rate of 8.06 

percent was used rather than the national average of 6.4 percent.

8 Maine – The Statewide Inclusion Rate of 9.25 percent was used rather than the national average of 6.4 percent.

9 Maryland – Excludes 6 subgrantees due to no data provided: Allegany County Public Schools, Baltimore County Public Schools, Caroll 

County Public Schools, Caroll County Public Schools, Frederick County Public Schools, and St. Mary County Public Schools.

10 Massachusetts – The Statewide Inclusion Rate of 8.12 percent was used rather than the national average of 6.4 percent.

11 Nevada – Excludes 1 subgrantee due to no data provided: Clark County School District (S. Atlantic); The Statewide Inclusion Rate of 8.33 

percent was used rather than the national average of 6.4 percent. 12 New York – The Statewide Inclusion Rate of 11.03 percent was used rather than the national average of 6.4 percent.

13 Rhode Island – The Statewide Inclusion Rate of 9.23 percent was used rather than the national average of 6.4 percent.

14 Vermont – The Statewide Inclusion Rate of 10.71 percent was used rather than the national average of 6.4 percent.
PDG PROGRESS UPDATE 8

Table 6: Student Demographic Information – Ethnicity15

(Corresponds with Section C – NIA Table A.1 Tables: Table A.3(b) Demographic Information - Ethnicity)

State

American 

Indian or 

Alaska Native Asian

Native Hawaiian/ 

Other Pacific 

Islander

Black or 

African 

American

Hispanic/ 

Latino

White, not 

Hispanic

Two or 

more races Total

AL 11 21 6 1,179 128 643 48 2,036

AZ 75 12 9 163 710 218 65 1,252

AR16 25 6 2 1,091 81 908 76 2,189

CT17 5 14 7 152 177 210 71 636

HI 0 2 48 0 3 4 18 75

IL 7 37 2 1,308 1,381 285 90 3,110

LA NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

ME18 4 4 0 67 25 326 8 434

MD19 0 103 22 1,321 393 619 139 2,494 

MA20 0 26 0 178 394 46 17 661

MT 177 1 0 3 23 237 21 462

NV21 6 13 10 111 288 277 42 747

NJ 2 85 5 339 666 420 119 1,636

NY 6 183 4 485 1,466 391 34 2,385

RI NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

TN22 5 101 5 2,215 712 512 31 3,581

VT NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

VA23 7 66 8 1,758 492 308 67 2,706

TOTAL 330 674 128 10,370 6,939 5,404 846 24,404

15 NR = Not Reported

16 Arkansas – Data Note: 449 (other races not listed).

17 Connecticut – Data Note: Demographics were supplied directly by early learning providers through the PDG Provider Interim Reports. This

 data point exceed the total number of children served by the grant in new and improved slots as of December 1, 2015 by 11 spaces. The

 OEC is currently working with providers to correct this data point as figures provided for race/ethnicity do not match enrollment forms for

 the same period (note: monthly enrollment forms do not capture race/ethnicity).

18 Maine – Data Note: 45 students no demographic data reported.

19 Maryland – Data Note: Not all families identified a race/ethnicity category.

20 Massachusetts – Data Note: We are missing race and ethnicity information for 41 children.

21 Nevada – Data Note: 747 represents the number of parents that reported racial information regarding children. Some parents did not

 report this information.

22 Tennessee – Data Note: Total number of 3,581 is lower because some parents did not report racial information about child(ren).

23 Virginia – Data Note: 98 not specified.