Pre-school teachers in both neighborhood and public school preschool programs in Abbott districts are now required to have a bachelors degree and course work in child development, and must be paid on par with other public school teachers. Children are showing marked academic gains as a result of these higher standards. The Center is surveying directors of Abbott preschools to identify implementation challenges and best practices. The Schumann Fund, in partnership with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, is funding the research.