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Decreasing the Readiness
Gap
Between Preschoolers
Education/Nancy Salvato |
September 21, 2005
- There is a misguided movement throughout the country
pushing for universal preschool and full day Kindergarten. The reasoning
behind implementing such measures is to allegedly improve the school
readiness of these pupils; however the evidence would suggest that there are
no long term benefits to requiring this of our 3-5 year olds. "Without
exception, little children are better off around their parents on a full
time basis than they would be placed in early, formal public schooling.”
That being said, why do we have government funded early intervention
programs such as Head Start? Who benefits from such a program? "Children
from substandard or dysfunctional homes do better in early, formal public
schooling.” It has been proven that, "Early, formal public schooling for
other little children is "educationally insignificant.” Whether or not a
disadvantaged child will benefit from Head Start comes down to the quality
of that particular program.
Head start was developed to close the "readiness gap between Head Start
children and their more advantaged peers when they enter Kindergarten.” But
on balance, many children who go through the program still remain below the
national average. This has been allowed to occur because of multibillion
dollar financial abuses recently discovered in Head Start programs across
the country.
What can be done about this? The Education & the Workforce Committee
unanimously approved a bill authored by Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) which would
alleviate financial misuse of funds and improve the quality of the Head
Start program. To begin with, the School Readiness Act would foster
competition for grants within the Head Start system by requiring local
operators to compete for funding unless they are a priority grantee. Grants
could be terminated at any time during a five year grant cycle.
This "bill would strengthen Head Start’s academic standards by emphasizing
cognitive development and the results of scientifically-based research in
topics critical to children’s school readiness (including language,
pre-reading, pre-mathematics, and English language acquisition).” It
would require Head Start operators provide documentation which proves they
have hired well qualified financial personnel and that their administrative
costs do not exceed 15 % of program costs. An annual report would have to be
made available to the public and they would have to submit to an independent
financial audit.
Head Start objectives would have to be aligned with state developed K-12
academic content standards. Organizations entrusted with federal Head Start
funds would be required to demonstrate partnerships with local educational
agencies and school districts. Head Start teachers must have adequately
training; teachers will be required to have an associate’s degree in early
childhood education or a related field and 50% of the teachers must earn a
BA within three years.
Parents will be trained in skills to support their children’s educational
development. Children in migrant or Indian Head Start programs must make
sufficient progress in English language acquisition as well as other skills.
There will be an increased emphasis on physical activity and healthy habits.
Centers will be evaluated every three years on a child’s progress in key
school readiness areas.
When it comes to doing what is right for their children, parents usually
have their best interests at heart. But under certain circumstances, basic
parenting skills may not be available for children who must rely on those
who exhibit addictive behavior, may not have received substantial formal
education, or where safety concerns can negatively affect basic care giving
of children.
Barring exceptional circumstances, most parents have the wherewithal and
skills necessary to prepare their children for formal schooling. But when
basic needs are not met at home, programs such as Head Start can give a
needed edge to disadvantaged youngsters. It is critical to pass the School
Readiness Act to ensure that all children enter formal education with the
necessary skills and preparation to succeed.
Related Reading:
Assessing Proposals for Preschool and Kindergarten: Essential Information
for Parents, Taxpayers, and Policymakers
http://www.sjlpp.org/documents/proposals.pdf
School Readiness Act (H.R. 2123): Strengthening the Head Start Early
Childhood Program
http://edworkforce.house.gov/issues/109th/education/headstart/2123billsummary.htm
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