“Program effectiveness
• According to a UNC evaluation of the 2015-16 school year, NC Pre-K demonstrated consistent, positive effects on children’s skills at the end of kindergarten in two key domains of learning—math and executive function.
• A UNC summary of annual NC Pre-K evaluations conducted from 2002 to 2016 stated that poor children who attended the program fared better on third-grade reading and math end-of-grade tests than poor children who did not attend.
• A Duke University study published in 2016 found that North Carolina’s investment in pre-K and Smart Start has resulted in higher test scores, less grade retention, and fewer special education placements through fifth grade.
• According to the study, the benefits extended beyond students who attended pre-K—that is, being in class with former NCPre-K students helped non-attendees do better in later grades.”

View

ncIMPACT

Pre-K