State of Preschool
Arkansas
Access Rankings
4-year-Olds
24
3-year-Olds
8
Resource Rankings
State spending
31
All reported spending
15
Total Benchmarks Met
Of 10 benchmarks possible
8
Overview
During the 2023-2024 school year, Arkansas preschool enrolled 20,311 children, an increase of 1,063 from the prior year. State spending totaled $106,500,000 and an additional $7,500,000 in TANF funds and $1,274,454 in federal recovery funds supported the program, down $43,325,038 (27%), adjusted for inflation, since last year. State spending per child (including TANF and federal recovery funds) equaled $5,675 in 2023-2024, down $2,564 from 2022-2023, adjusted for inflation. Arkansas met 8 of 10 quality standards benchmarks.
What's New
In Spring 2023, Arkansas created the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) within the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), which unifies the Arkansas early childhood system. This office was established when the LEARNS Act was signed into law.
Background
The Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program began in 1991 as part of a statewide education reform initiative, with funding ($10 million) earmarked to serve children birth to 5 years old based on family income, developmental, and/or economic risk factors. In 2003, legislation known as Arkansas Better Chance for School Success (ABCSS) set priorities for funding, supporting 3- and 4-year-olds in households with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level. School districts with 75% or more of their students scoring below proficient in literacy and math on the State Assessment, and children in schools designated as “school improvement status” receive prioritized funding.
ABC/ABCSS components intended to ensure quality include: one teacher with at least a bachelor’s degree per every three classrooms at a site and teachers with an associate degree in the other two classrooms; teacher assistants/paraprofessionals with a minimum of a CDA or equivalent; low teacher-to-child ratios (1:10); health and development screenings; parent involvement and community engagement; statewide child assessment (Work Sampling); an approved list of curriculum aligned with the 2016 Arkansas Child Development and Early Learning Standards; and classroom quality observations to inform technical assistance; and an evaluation of child outcomes through a longitudinal study.
Arkansas Better Chance/Arkansas Better Chance for School Success
Access
| |
| Total state pre-K enrollment | 20,311 |
| School districts that offer state program | 100% (counties) |
| Income requirement | 200% FPL |
| Minimum hours of operation | 7 hours/day; 5 days/week |
| Operating schedule | School or academic year |
| Special education enrollment, ages 3 and 4 | 9,764 |
| Federally funded Head Start enrollment, ages 3 and 4 | 4,237 |
| State-funded Head Start enrollment, ages 3 and 4 | 0 |
Resources
| Total state pre-K spending | $115,274,454 |
| Local match required? | Yes |
| State Head Start spending | $0 |
| State spending per child enrolled | $5,675 |
| All reported spending per child enrolled* | $10,442 |
*Pre-K programs may receive additional funds from federal or local sources that are not included in this figure. †Head Start per-child spending includes funding only for 3- and 4-year-olds. ‡K–12 expenditures include capital spending as well as current operating expenditures.
Arkansas Quality Standards Checklist
| Policy | Requirement | Benchmark | Meets Benchmark? |
|---|---|---|---|
For more information about the benchmarks, see the Executive Summary and the Roadmap to State pages. | 8benchmarks met | ||
| Early Learning & Development Standards Benchmark | Comprehensive, aligned, supported, culturally sensitive | Comprehensive, aligned, supported, culturally sensitive | |
| Curriculum Supports Benchmark | Approval process & supports | Approval process & supports | |
| Teacher Degree Benchmark | One BA per 3 classrooms; AA for other 2 classrooms | BA | |
| Teacher Specialized Training Benchmark | ECE, CD, ECE SpEd | Specializing in pre-K | |
| Assistant Teacher Degree Benchmark | CDA | CDA or equivalent | |
| Staff Professional Development Benchmark | 30 hours/year; PD plans; Coaching for novice teachers | For teachers & assistants: At least 15 hours/year; individual PD plans; coaching | |
| Maximum Class Size Benchmark | 20 (3- & 4-year-olds) | 20 or lower | |
| Staff to Child Ratio Benchmark | 1:10 (3- & 4-year-olds) | 1:10 or better | |
| Screening & Referral Benchmark | Vision, hearing, health & more | Vision, hearing & health screenings; & referral | |
| Continuous Quality Improvement System Benchmark | Structured classroom observations; Data used for program improvement | Structured classroom observations; data used for program improvement | |