Data Shows That Seattle’s Preschool Program Is A Wise Investment

By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium

The Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) opens its application process on March 15, 2023, for the 2023-24 school year. The program, a partnership between the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL), the Seattle Public School District (SPS), and community partners, provides high-quality early learning experiences, including pre-kindergarten, for Seattle children.

According to Dwane Chappelle, Director of DEEL, the program is a critical step in preparing and transitioning preschoolers into their elementary school experience.

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  “In 2021-2022, 77% of enrolled children identified as BIPOC; (30% Black or African American, 17% Asian, 15% Hispanic/Latino, 13% two or more races, 1% North African/Middle Eastern, 1% American Indian/Alaskan Native, 1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 23% white),” according to DEEL statistics.

In 2021-2022, 32% of Black/African American kindergarteners in Seattle Public Schools had participated in the Seattle Preschool Program. According to DEEL, 63% of the program’s participants were kindergarten ready. Black and Asian SPP participants were more likely to be kindergarten-ready than their non-SPP peers.”

Finish the article to discover how this program is helping Black and other disadvantaged children.