Our Results

Our Results

How do we know our work makes a difference?

To prove that high quality preschool programs pay off, we look at how well children are prepared for kindergarten, as well as how they perform in third grade.

Our evaluation team includes:

• Butler Institute for Families – University of Denver
• National Opinion Research Center (NORC) – University of Chicago
• Clayton Early Learning Institute
• Denver Public Schools

Kindergarten Readiness Report

Are children who attend preschool better prepared for kindergarten?

Using a combination of standardized tests and classroom observations, the Denver Preschool Program works with Clayton Early Learning to evaluate how children progress in in vocabulary, literacy, math, social-emotional development and executive function during their preschool year.

Our results show that more DPP children than expected scored “ready for school” compared to their national peers in the spring before their kindergarten year regardless of their native language, or economic background.

Click here to view the 2015-2016 Kindergarten Readiness Report

• 2013-2014 Evaluation: child outcomes
• 2012-2013 Evaluation: child outcomes
• 2011-2012 Evaluation: Summary, child outcomes 
• 2010-2011 Evaluation: Summary, child outcomes 
• 2009-2010 Evaluation: Summary, child outcomes

Third Grade Longitudinal Analysis

How long do the benefits of  preschool last?

According to numerous studies and research on the benefits of preschool, children who have mastered basic skills in reading, writing and math by the end of the third grade are more likely succeed in school and beyond. As a result, DPP invests an annual long-term analysis conducted by Augenblick, Palaich and Associates that compares how former DPP students performed on Colorado’s third grade standardized achievement tests to those who did not have DPP experience.

• 2014-2015 PARCC: Brief
• 2014 TCAP Results: Brief, 4th grade results and full analysis 
• 2013 TCAP Results: Brief and full analysis

Always Improving

The Denver Preschool Program proactively seeks feedback from participating preschools and parents to help enhance internal operations and how we serve the public. The following links provide a more in-depth view of our findings: 

• 2016-2017 Operations Evaluation
• 2014-2015 Operations Evaluation
• 2013-2014 Operations Evaluation
• 2012-2013 Operations Evaluation
• 2011-2012 Operations Evaluation
• 2010-2011 Operations Evaluation
• 2009-2010 Operations Evaluation

More Resources

DPP strives to keep the community informed of their progress. For more information about the Denver Preschool Program, please explore our additional reports. 

• 2016 Annual Report
• 2015-2016 Fact Sheet
• 2015 Annual Report
• 2015 Financial Audit
• Board of Directors Minutes 2015 -  2016 - 2017 - Jan 2018 - Mar 2018