Even as enrollment for three- and four-year-olds in Arkansas preschools increased last year, the state cut funding for early education, according to a new report. The study, by the National Institute for Early Education Research, found the Arkansas preschool program meets eight out of 10 of the group’s minimum quality benchmarks, but falls short in two critical areas: salary parity and staff development support. Rich Huddleston with Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families says that makes teaching preschool in Arkansas a financial hardship for many.
He says only lead teachers in public schools are required to have a bachelor’s degree, and the state doesn’t require that preschool teachers are paid the same as those who teach Kindergarten through 3rd grade. A bill that would have significantly increased state spending for early education failed to pass in the latest session of the Arkansas Legislature.