ISBE PreK and PFA FY2007
The Prekindergarten Program for Children at Risk of Academic Failure (PreK) and the Preschool for All Children program (PFA) are two of four programs funded by the Early Childhood Block Grant (ECBG) program in the State of Illinois (the other two being the Model Early Childhood Parental Training program and the Prevention Initiative for Programs Offering Coordinated Services to At Risk Children and Their Families program).

PFA began operation in July 2006 (i.e., FY 2007). The PFA program expands funding available under the PreK program. All new program sites for 3- and 4-year-olds will be funded as PFA programs. Existing PreK program sites will have the opportunity to continue funding.

Source of definition: Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), Early Childhood Education Division
   (http://www.isbe.net/earlychi/) (See Early Childhood Block Grant)
Date of definition: December 2007

Note: View definitions of data parameters related to ISBE PreK/PFA:

• number of sites
• funded enrollment/number of children served
• grantees

Note: These two programs serve 3- and 4-year-old children (and 5-year-olds who are not yet eligible for kindergarten) who are at risk of academic failure. The only criterion for the PreK At Risk program is the at-risk factor. The PFA program has 3 criteria: (1) at-risk; (2) low-income; and (3) other factors.

PreK programs incorporate the following components:

• Intensive language and literacy development based on the child's individual assessment
• Curriculum addresses the domains of visual-motor, language, and speech development, social skills and cognitive development
• Ongoing student progress plan developed and shared with parents
• Parent education and involvement
• Collaboration with other services and resources available in the community

The PFA program incorporates six program components:

• Screening
• Educational program
• Parent education and involvement
• Community collaboration
• Staff requirements
• Professional development

For details on these components, and other information related to the Preschool for All Children program, see the Preschool for All Children page on the IECAM Web site and the Preschool for All Children page on the ISBE Web site, particularly the FY 2008 Preschool for All Children Ages 3 to 5 Years RFP.

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