MMSD outlines 4K expansion, Play & Learn scale‑up and enrollment strategy ahead of FY27 budget

The Madison Metropolitan School District presented an early‑learning update on proposed 4K expansions and the Play & Learn family education program, framing both as central to the district’s FY27 budget planning and longer‑term enrollment strategy.

District staff described Play & Learn as a caregiver‑focused program for families with children birth–5 not enrolled in MMSD, offered at 20 community sessions in 2024–25 and serving about 352 children. Presenters said Play & Learn aims to strengthen caregivers’ knowledge of child development, connect families to district services (including child‑find and early intervention), and provide culturally responsive supports and Spanish‑language sessions when needed.

On 4K outcomes, the district reported that many children enter 4K without kindergarten‑readiness skills. Using the GOLD child‑development assessment, presenters showed spring gains for cohorts but noted that only a minority of children arrived at kindergarten‑readiness in math (one slide cited roughly 9% with math readiness on entry). The team emphasized that students who attend district 4K are likely to stay: the district reported an approximately 80% persistence rate from 4K to kindergarten among students enrolled in MMSD 4K.

Staff framed the persistence and capture figures as the basis for expansion: MMSD currently captures roughly 43–47% of eligible 4K students who reside in district attendance areas and is proposing to increase full‑day sections and convert some half‑day seats to full day, prioritizing use of existing budget allocations and community partner sites rather than principally creating new seats. An Olson pilot of a 5‑day full‑day model was presented as a local test case, with staff describing implementation challenges (specialist scheduling, planning time for teachers) and the need to refine operational details before districtwide scaling.

Board members pressed for additional detail. Requests included: disaggregated kindergarten‑readiness outcomes by race and disability status; the per‑student cost and proportional spending for Play & Learn; longitudinal analyses linking 4K participation to later outcomes; and clearer staffing plans given shortages of DPI‑licensed early childhood teachers. Presenters said they can provide the disaggregated GOLD data and cost breakdowns and noted active work with partners and researchers to understand who is captured by 4K and why some families choose other providers.

The presentation closed with staff outlining next steps: continued pilot refinement, development of wraparound and community partner models, further cost and demographic reporting to the board, and incorporation of requests into FY27 budget planning. No formal board vote on expansion or budget allocation occurred at the meeting; those actions were described as forthcoming with the FY27 budget process.