Montana STARS Preschool Report Card from Gov. Steve Bullock

As a father and as governor, I want to make sure that every child has every opportunity to succeed. A recent report card https://dphhs.mt.gov/Portals/85/hcsd/documents/ChildCare/STARSPreschool/STARSPreEvalFinal.pdf for Montana’s STARS preschool pilot program shows that we’re helping to make this possible.

In 2017, I worked with the Montana Legislature to secure the state’s first-ever investment in publicly funded, high-quality early childhood education. HB 639 passed with bipartisan support and directed funding over two years to implement the STARS preschool pilot program https://dphhs.mt.gov/hcsd/Childcare/starspreschool

Until last year, Montana was one of only six states that had not invested state funds for public preschool.

The results from the first year of the program show that children in publicly funded preschool classrooms are not only ready for kindergarten, they are receiving a foundation that will better prepare them for success the rest of their lives.

Children improved academically, teachers grew professionally, and rural communities finally had a preschool option available for their children.

The report awarded excellent grades to the STARS preschool classrooms for:

93% of children being ready for kindergarten at the end of the year.

94% of teachers reporting they were given effective opportunities to grow professionally.

97% of families engaging in the STARS preschool classroom and their child’s education.

86% of teachers reporting that child outcomes improved because of the curriculum used.

The average child-teacher ratio in the classroom being 1:7.

The report recommends continued state investment in high-quality preschool in order to expand access and increase school readiness. There is an overwhelming need in both rural and urban communities across Montana for more high-quality, affordable preschool options.

Because we know that there is a need and that high-quality preschool prepares children to be school ready, I will be asking the 2019 Montana Legislature to again secure funding in this investment for our kids.

I encourage everyone, and our state legislators, to visit a STARS preschool classroom. Come see first-hand the difference our investment is making for our kiddos, for our communities both urban and rural, and for our economy that’s depending on the workforce of tomorrow.

Sincerely,

STEVE BULLOCK
Governor