The Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program was created in 1991 to offer high quality early education services to children birth to five exhibiting developmental and socio-economic risk factors.  In 2003, the Arkansas Legislature made a commitment to expand early childhood education to serve low-income three and four-year old children in areas at high risk for academic failure with high quality pre-k services.  This expansion, known as the Arkansas Better Chance for School Success, has become the state pre-kindergarten program.  The ABC program models are Center-Based programs, Home-Visiting programs (HIPPY and PAT) and Family Child Care Homes. 

Arkansas Child Development and Early Learning Standards

The Arkansas Child Development and Early Learning Standards: Birth through 60 Months provide a set of common expectations for what children typically know, understand, and are able to do at different ages in early childhood. They are research-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate, comprehensive, and are written with the understanding that children reach developmental milestones at different times. The Standards are designed to assist in developing age-appropriate learning goals for children, to support developmentally appropriate curriculum and assessment, and to outline a progression of development and learning that supports success in school and in life.

Approved Curriculum

The Arkansas Department of Human Services and the Arkansas Department of Education, in collaboration with statewide stakeholders, have established a list of curriculum resources that align with the Arkansas Child Development and Early Learning Standards: Birth through 60 Months. Arkansas Better Chance programs must use one of the identified curricula.