View in EDS

Enrollment Practices in Early Education Centers: Examining Implementation in the Arkansas State Pre-K Program

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Enrollment Practices in Early Education Centers: Examining Implementation in the Arkansas State Pre-K Program
Language: English
Authors: Gerilyn Slicker (ORCID 0000-0002-0826-6394), Jason T. Hustedt (ORCID 0000-0001-5246-5924), Melissa Stoffers (ORCID 0000-0003-4891-3231), Cara L. Kelly (ORCID 0000-0002-8012-9044)
Source: AERA Open. 2025 11(1).
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 18
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: Administration for Children and Families (ACF) (DHHS)
Contract Number: 90YE0248
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Preschool Education
Descriptors: Enrollment, Preschools, Underserved Students, Preschool Children, State Programs, Infants, Toddlers, Homeless People, Students with Disabilities, Minority Group Students, Institutional Characteristics, Community Characteristics, Equal Education, Access to Education, Early Childhood Education
Geographic Terms: Arkansas
ISSN: 2332-8584
Abstract: Enrollment in high quality pre-kindergarten (pre-K) programs is associated with positive outcomes for children; yet, inequities in access are prevalent. This mixed methods study is a comprehensive examination of early care and education (ECE) centers' enrollment practices with a specific focus on enrollment of children from underserved backgrounds in Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) pre-K programs compared with non-ABC programs. Logistic regression models using a statewide sample of ECE centers reveal that ABC programs are typically fully enrolled and enroll underserved populations--including children in impoverished and rural areas and children with disabilities--at higher rates than non-ABC programs. Qualitative interviews reveal enrollment facilitators and barriers in both ABC and non-ABC programs, including aspects of centers, surrounding communities, and state policies. Results suggest that policies such as deliberately setting and implementing certain enrollment priorities may enhance equitable ECE access.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1494887
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1494887
    Name: ERIC Full Text
    Category: fullText
    Text: Full Text from ERIC
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1494887
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Enrollment Practices in Early Education Centers: Examining Implementation in the Arkansas State Pre-K Program
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gerilyn+Slicker%22">Gerilyn Slicker</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0826-6394">0000-0002-0826-6394</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jason+T%2E+Hustedt%22">Jason T. Hustedt</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5246-5924">0000-0001-5246-5924</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Melissa+Stoffers%22">Melissa Stoffers</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4891-3231">0000-0003-4891-3231</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Cara+L%2E+Kelly%22">Cara L. Kelly</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8012-9044">0000-0002-8012-9044</externalLink>)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22AERA+Open%22"><i>AERA Open</i></searchLink>. 2025 11(1).
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 18
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2025
– Name: SourceSuprt
  Label: Sponsoring Agency
  Group: SrcSuprt
  Data: Administration for Children and Families (ACF) (DHHS)
– Name: NumberContract
  Label: Contract Number
  Group: NumCntrct
  Data: 90YE0248
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Early+Childhood+Education%22">Early Childhood Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Preschool+Education%22">Preschool Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Enrollment%22">Enrollment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Preschools%22">Preschools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Underserved+Students%22">Underserved Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Preschool+Children%22">Preschool Children</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22State+Programs%22">State Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Infants%22">Infants</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Toddlers%22">Toddlers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Homeless+People%22">Homeless People</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Students+with+Disabilities%22">Students with Disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Minority+Group+Students%22">Minority Group Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Institutional+Characteristics%22">Institutional Characteristics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Community+Characteristics%22">Community Characteristics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Equal+Education%22">Equal Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Access+to+Education%22">Access to Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Early+Childhood+Education%22">Early Childhood Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Arkansas%22">Arkansas</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2332-8584
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Enrollment in high quality pre-kindergarten (pre-K) programs is associated with positive outcomes for children; yet, inequities in access are prevalent. This mixed methods study is a comprehensive examination of early care and education (ECE) centers' enrollment practices with a specific focus on enrollment of children from underserved backgrounds in Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) pre-K programs compared with non-ABC programs. Logistic regression models using a statewide sample of ECE centers reveal that ABC programs are typically fully enrolled and enroll underserved populations--including children in impoverished and rural areas and children with disabilities--at higher rates than non-ABC programs. Qualitative interviews reveal enrollment facilitators and barriers in both ABC and non-ABC programs, including aspects of centers, surrounding communities, and state policies. Results suggest that policies such as deliberately setting and implementing certain enrollment priorities may enhance equitable ECE access.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1494887
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1494887
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 18
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Enrollment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Preschools
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Underserved Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Preschool Children
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: State Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Infants
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Toddlers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Homeless People
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Students with Disabilities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Minority Group Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Institutional Characteristics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Community Characteristics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Equal Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Access to Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Early Childhood Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Arkansas
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Enrollment Practices in Early Education Centers: Examining Implementation in the Arkansas State Pre-K Program
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Gerilyn Slicker
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Jason T. Hustedt
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Melissa Stoffers
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Cara L. Kelly
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 2332-8584
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 11
            – Type: issue
              Value: 1
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: AERA Open
              Type: main
ResultId 1