S0pring Branch ISD gets pre-K funding from state Spring Branch aims to enrich students learning experience this school year

Prekindergarten students in the Spring Branch Independent School District are expected to experience a richer learning environment this school year, while parents will have more opportunities to get involved in their children's early education thanks to a $1 million-plus grant from the Texas Education Agency.

Classrooms will offer a targeted software program to help students learn at their own pace and more age-appropriate books.

Parents will have access to an early education tool, which has hundreds of short videos in English and Spanish that model everyday interactions between parents and their children.

"The adaptive software takes kids higher than we could, and getting families started early in the school district and getting them involved - this will enhance our program and the district," said Sharee Cantrell, early childhood director and director of The Lion Lane School.

A portion of the grant also will be spent on student assessment and teacher development. The district has hired three "coaches" to provide additional training for teachers to deliver effective instruction.

"I'm a firm believer of making teachers the best they can be in the classroom - it's the best way to help kids," Cantrell said.

A key piece to the grant is promoting parent engagement, vital, Cantrell said, to the educational success of students through 12th grade. The district has contracted with Harris County for a social worker to lead the effort.

Cantrell said most parents want to support their children but they may not know how, or they may not speak English.

"These are tremendous new resources to enhance what is already a very successful program," said Karen Peck, board president.

The funding comes from the $118 million grant made available this school year to districts across the state under HB 4 High Quality Prekindergarten, signed into law during the last legislative session.

The funds must be used to enhance the quality of the curriculum, improve the quality of teachers, boost academic performance and promote family engagement.

Though the grant is targeted at low-income students, and those with limited English, from military families and who are homeless or in foster care, Cantrell said all district pre-K students will benefit from the initiatives they are putting into place.

The district has for many years been ahead of the curve in prekindergarten education. A full-day program for 4-year-olds is offered at five stand-alone centers and 12 elementary schools.

Tuition is free for eligible students on a sliding scale for some others, based on need, while full tuition is $595 per month.

Last year, almost 1,800 students were enrolled in the program, with about 300 students paying full tuition.

Administrators and the school board expressed gratitude for the funding but want legislators to continue to provide funding every year.

"Don't give it to us and then take that away, because it has a significant impact," said Superintendent Scott Muri

Peck said they would urge legislators to increase funding for pre-K.

"Research shows that high-quality prekindergarten programs not only improve student outcomes, but also that they are a wise economic investment because they are a cost-effective, educational intervention and provide meaningful benefits to society," Peck said.

Muri and Peck pointed to evidence that district students who participated in the pre-K program do better in school than students who didn't.

About 80 percent of district students who enter kindergarten have been in a district prekindergarten program.

Children at Risk spokeswoman Mandi Kimball said the Texas Legislature has taken a step in the right direction in improving outcomes for at-risk children under the new law.

She said Spring Branch already had a strong program but the additional funds will make it stronger.

"The district" has gone above and beyond to ensure children get full pre-K, but this funding helps with the quality of the program that they can deliver," she said.