About the Intervention
Tennessee Voluntary Prekindergarten Program (TN-VPK) is a full-day prekindergarten program for four-year-old children expected to enter kindergarten the following school year. The program in each participating school district must meet standards set by the State Board of Education that require each classroom to have a teacher with a license in early childhood development and education, an adult-student ratio of no less than 1:10, a maximum class size of 20, and an approved age-appropriate curriculum. TN-VPK is an optional program focused on the neediest children in the state. It uses a tiered admission process with children from low-income families who apply to the program admitted first. Any remaining seats in a given location are then allocated to otherwise at-risk children including those with disabilities and limited English proficiency.
Statistical Findings
Positive effect: on literacy
Positive effect: on language
Positive effect: on math
Positive effect: on work-related skills
Positive effect: on social behavior
Positive effect: on preparedness for kindergarten
No effect: on achievement by end of kindergarten
No effect: on achievement at end of first grade
Negative effect: on achievement in second grade
Negative effect: on achievement in third grade
Negative effect: on work-related skills in first grade
Negative effect: on feelings about school in first grade
No effect: on behavior by end of second and third grade
More Intervention Details
Focus Areas
Economically DisadvantagedPrograms & Services
Early Childhood, General Education, Title IDelivery Methods
Face-to-FaceDisability Support
N/ATarget Groups
Student(s)Citation
Farran, D. C., Hofer, K. G. & Lipsey, M. W. (2015). A Randomized Control Trial of a Statewide Voluntary Prekindergarten Program on Children's Skills and Behaviors through Third Grade. Research Report (ED566664). ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED566664.pdf.
Study Demographics
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Participant Race
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Participant Gender
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Other Participant Characteristics
Geographical Setting
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