2020-21SY Child Count Reporting for State-funded UPK Programs

Early Learning

THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

Early Learning

New York State Education Department Seal

P-12 Education

Office of Early Learning

89 Washington Avenue, EB 514 West Mezzanine, Albany, NY 12234

(518) 474-5807

To:

Superintendents of Schools in Districts receiving Universal Prekindergarten Grants (UPK)

Superintendents of School in Districts receiving Statewide Universal Full-Day Prekindergarten (SUFDPK) funding

Pre-K Program Contacts for Agencies receiving Statewide Universal Full-Day Prekindergarten (SUFDPK) funding

From:

Jason Breslin, Director Office of Early Learning

Rose LeRoy, Director of Educational Data and Research

Subject:

2020-21SY Child Count Reporting for State-funded UPK Programs

Date:

January 5, 2021

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) recognizes the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the enrollment of prekindergarten students during the 2020-21 school year (SY). Due to these circumstances, NYSED’s Office of Early Learning (OEL) has made modifications pursuant to Commissioner’s Regulations 8 NYCRR 151-1 to the traditional child count pull date and reporting information. This change is being made so that the calculation of prekindergarten grants is reflective of the number of students ever served in State-funded UPK programs in the 2020-21SY.

NYSED’s OEL and Office of Information and Reporting Services (IRS) have allowed for three data extracts for all Pre-K programs regardless of their start date. The three extract dates for prekindergarten enrollment would replace the traditional BEDS day count for the 2020-21SY only. During the 2020- 21SY, the child count pull extract will be moved from December 1, 2020 to Friday, January 15, April 16, and June 4, 2021. On each of these pull dates, districts will report the number of prekindergarten students ever served (not just those with an active enrollment record on each respective pull date). On the January 15th pull date, districts will count any prekindergarten student ever enrolled in the program from September 2020 up to and including January 15, 2021. The final pull date will result in the cumulative total of enrollments (not removing any students that have exited).

Calculation of the State-funded UPK grants will remain the same pursuant to Education Law 3602-e in which the maximum grant payable to any district will remain proportionate to the number of 1.0 FTE seats filled. Because of the overwhelming factors impacting enrollment, giving districts opportunities to report enrollment over the course of three extract dates, the district will be able to recoup funds for any child educated in their program during this difficult fiscal year.

If you have any questions regarding SIRS or reporting students, please contact the Office of Information and Reporting Services at Data Support. If you have any questions regarding Universal Prekindergarten programming, please contact the Office of Early Learning at oel@nysed.gov.