Opinion ID: 2294246
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 34

Heading: Preschool under SFRA

Text: Recognizing the success of the Abbott high quality preschool program, SFRA expands the program to provide the same high-quality full-day preschool to all at-risk three and four year olds in the state. [27] N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-44(k); D-1 ¶ 55. Preschool education has probably been the singular success of the Robinson and Abbott litigation saga. The preschool program is also provided to all children (not simply at-risk children) in DFG A and B districts, and to all children in DFG C and D districts with concentrations of at-risk students above 40%. D-1 ¶ 55; see also Joye, 4 T 23:3-9. In determining the resources needed, the DOE used detailed actual cost data from the high quality Abbott preschool program to determine per-pupil amounts, rather than use the preschool PJP study results. D-1 ¶ 57; Davy, 1 T 119:1-120:5; see also D-12 at 17-18. The DOE calculated the per pupil aid amount to cover the entire cost of the program. In doing so, the DOE took the data from the Abbott districts and community providers throughout the State for needed resourcessuch as teacher salaries, classroom supplies, nurses, and master teachers. Joye, 4 T 15:3-13. Special requests made by the districts were not included in the per pupil amounts, as those costs are unique to particular districts and some are for one time expenditures. Joye, 4 T 17:19-18:6. A high-quality preschool requires many resources including the following: small class sizes, master teachers, [28] parent and community involvement specialists, parent workshops, family workers, medical supplies and screening, security costs, social workers, outreach programs, and preschool intervention and referral teams. D-12 at 17; see also N.J.A.C. 6A:13A-1.1 through 11.4 (D-71). The DOE has promulgated regulations to ensure continued high quality education in the following areas: curriculum ( N.J.A.C. 6A:13A-5.1), classroom space ( N.J.A.C. 6A:13A-7.1), teacher certification ( N.J.A.C. 6A:13A-4.3(a)), performance-based assessment ( N.J.A.C. 6A:13A-5.4), and classroom quality assessment ( N.J.A.C. 6A:13A-5.5). See generally Davy, 1 T 121-25. By using actual cost data, the State ensured the components of the successful Abbott preschool programs could be implemented for all at-risk children throughout the State. As such, the preschool programs must meet the Abbott quality standards (e.g. small class size, research based curriculum, certificated teachers). The programs may be offered by the districts, by community providers, neighboring districts or regional entities. D-1 ¶ 56. There are three types of preschool programs; each program receives a different amount of state funding. First, an in-district program is one provided inside a district school building. Davy, 1 T 119:18-23. Second, a private provider would be a nursery school or other preschool program in the community. Id. at 119:25-120:1. Third, a Head Start program receives funds only as a supplement to the funds provided by the federal program. Id. at 120:2-5. The per pupil preschool amounts for each type of program are as follows-$11,506 for in district, $12,934 for private providers, and $7,146 for Head Start. D-1 ¶ 57; Davy, 1 T 119:12-120:5; see also N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-54(d). The base per pupil amounts are adjusted using the CPI for two years, but every three years the amounts are reevaluated and readjusted. Joye, 4 T 28:2-25. Abbott preschool funding allocations for school year 08-09 are governed by the budgets already issued by the DOE. D-1 ¶ 58. Henceforward, Abbott preschools will receive the greatest of three preschool funding allocations: 1) per-pupil allocation under SFRA, 2) the district's per pupil allocation in its approved 08-09 early childhood plan, or 3) the district's total 08-09 preschool aid amount with an enrollment adjustment. Ibid.; Joye, 4 T 29:19-30:10; see also N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-54. The allocations based on the 08-09 preschool budgets (options 2 or 3) would include any funding approved for special requests. Joye, 4 T 31:9-14. Under SFRA, preschool aid is calculated by multiplying the number of children in each program (not including preschool disabled) by their respective program costs and adding the total costs for each program together. N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-54(a). Preschool Aid = (In-District program Enroll × $11,506) + (Private Provider Enroll × $12,934) + (Head Start Enroll × 7,146)