American Pre-K Teacher Survey reveals curriculum use and time challenges

The first American Pre-K Teacher Survey has provided significant insights into the structural characteristics of pre-kindergarten (pre-K) programs in public schools across the United States. This survey, conducted by RAND Education and Labor and sponsored by the Gates Foundation, examines various aspects such as curriculum materials, teachers' perceptions of these materials, and professional conditions in pre-K classrooms.

The findings illustrate differences between part-day and full-day classroom experiences. "More than 80 percent of public school–based pre-K teachers used multiple commercially available curriculum materials in their classrooms, even when they used a comprehensive curriculum," highlights one of the key observations. Despite the varied use of resources, most teachers deemed the instructional materials high quality, particularly in promoting development across several key domains, including language and literacy.

The survey noted that teachers in part-day classrooms received less training on utilizing curriculum and assessment materials compared to their full-day counterparts. Around one-third of teachers expressed having sufficient time within their contracts to perform instructional tasks. Furthermore, teachers in part-day programs reported less time available for instructional planning than those in full-day programs. Many teachers—less than half—mentioned the absence of dedicated time for coordination across grades or for transition to kindergarten.

Anna Shapiro, Elizabeth D. Steiner, and their co-authors detailed these findings, emphasizing the impact on public school–based pre-K programs. This report serves as a resource for state legislators, early childhood leaders, and school district leaders to understand the current pre-K educational landscape and identify areas for improvement.

The comprehensive research and analysis provided undergo rigorous peer review to meet high-quality standards. RAND's publications aim to aid policy and decision-making processes, although they may not always reflect the views of their research clients or sponsors.

The full report is available under a Creative Commons license, allowing users to copy, redistribute, transform, and build upon the material without further permissions.

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