Abstract
This fact sheet summarizes findings from the Illinois Preschool for All (PFA) program evaluation conducted by Erikson Institute and SRI International. PFA programs are funded by the Illinois State Board of Education to provide early education opportunities for children between the ages of three and five, with priority given to children from low-income families and those who are determined to be “at risk.” The evaluation took an in-depth look at PFA programs throughout the state (excluding the city of Chicago) from 2008 through 2010 to provide a picture of PFA program quality, children’s school readiness, and the characteristics of program participants.
In fall 2009, trained staff observed PFA classrooms using two observational tools: the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Revised (ECERS-R) and the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). This publication provides a report of those observations.
