It also would require more coordination between existing prekindergarten programs for four-year olds. Earlier in the week, Gov. Mike Easley said he wanted to shift the focus of Smart Start to include an academic component. But he left open the question of how the component would be folded into Smart Start and whether it would be paid for through existing Smart Start resources or new money. Unlike Smart Start, which provides money to day-care providers to use as they wish, Bright Beginnings is focused on education. Children are tested both before and after they enter the program to assess their reading level and learning style.
Early results are encouraging.
Only 53 percent of eligible nonparticipants, which likely includes large numbers of children participating in Smart Start, scored at or above grade level. Those gains appear to be sustained over time. Only 55 percent of eligible nonparticipants did so. But Easley has made clear his intention to preserve the core function of Smart Start. Rucho, meanwhile, said he was skeptical that Easley could launch an academic prekindergarten program through Smart Start.