Preschool for All's expansion faces roadblocks
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Multnomah County's Preschool for All plans to serve 3,800 children in the next school year — roughly 1,600 more than those enrolled now — but the program's future is facing significant hurdles.
The big picture: A county audit released Wednesday found that while Preschool for All has met many of its equity goals (serving low-income, multilingual kids and families of color), its plan to provide universal access by 2030 is at risk.
- There's simply not enough early-childhood educators, especially those who speak another language or specialize in special education, to keep up with demand, per the report.
- Plus: Preschool for All's growth relies on getting preschools to participate, and so far many have chosen not to. As a result, interest from families is far greater than what the program can accommodate.
Follow the money: Future funding remains uncertain, too.
- The program — funded by a tax on high-income residents — pays providers $15,000 to $22,000 per child annually, depending on whether care is part- or full-time.
- Yes, but: Some participating preschool providers told the auditor's office that the money they received was not sufficient enough to cover expenses to meet the program's requirements, like offering 10-hour school days.
What we're watching: The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners will discuss the timeline for an advisory board to examine the program's funding at a meeting on April 15.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that on April 15 the commissioners will discuss a timeline for the advisory board (not host an advisory board meeting).