From our earliest days as an organization, Good Reason Houston has supported pre-K access and quality across the region. To improve public pre-K and expand pre-K partnerships throughout Houston, we have launched Pre-K Houston (a regional pre-K enrollment campaign and platform) and provided direct services to districts through TEA grants and fee-for-service models
This work has been challenging, complex, and rewarding–we have learned a lot along the way alongside many partners and champions in the region and across the state. See below for the key learnings that shape how we do our work today.
| Key insights from our work and research over the years: | Because of this learning, we aim to work with school districts to… |
| A district’s pre-K enrollment strategy should be grounded in qualitative and quantitative data.
Districts should focus on the unique needs and experiences of parents across different communities, while also having a strong command of the quantitative factors impacting supply and demand. |
|
| Community-driven strategies outperform broad campaigns.
Broad marketing campaigns are less effective than community-based approaches that leverage trusted local influencers, such as principals, parents, and health providers. Districts should focus their limited resources on targeted zones using continuous data collection and monitoring. |
|
| Structural barriers persist, though opportunities are emerging for pre-K expansion.
Districts face significant barriers to expanding pre-K enrollment. While pre-K 4 remains the primary focus, there is a growing local interest in expanding pre-K 3 to boost early academic success and enrollment. In addition, there are emerging legislative opportunities to pursue expanded public-private partnerships. |
|
| Creative, innovative solutions are needed to meet parent needs.
Pre-K enrollment decisions are influenced by practical factors like location, schedule, transportation, and the ability to attend pre-K on the same campus as kindergarten. Nationally and locally, these considerations outweigh concerns about program quality or model. |
|
| Growing your pre-K program requires prioritizing resource allocation and taking advantage of public funding opportunities.
There are lots of funding opportunities and legislative opportunities for districts to take advantage of to strengthen pre-K enrollment. |
|
