The scope: U.S. SCHOOLS SERVE MORE YOUNG CHILDREN THAN EVER BEFORE

75,000 elementary school principals oversee pre-K classrooms[1]

1.6 million children in the U.S. attend publicly-funded pre-K programs[2]

Young children projected to attend U.S. public elementary schools in 2021[3]:

1.18 in pre-K

3.71 in K

10.94 in 1^st-3^rd grade

The need: MANY ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS DO NOT HAVE BACKGROUND IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

Many elementary principals do not have background in early childhood[4]

76% do not have early childhood certification

40% have no teacher or principal preparation in early childhood

42% have not participated in district professional learning on early childhood

20% of early-career principals do not feel well-versed in early childhood[5]

45% of principals report implementing Pre-K programs to be of moderate or high concern[6]

The solution: PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CAN CLOSE THE GAPS

Dozens of model pre-K programs include intensive professional learning.[7]

1,700+ Head Start programs require coaching.[8]

25 states require coaching in public early childhood programs.⁹

16 states require coaching plus 15 hours of other professional learning[9]

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