As is usually the case, one of the recurring themes of this election season is referencing the American dream with candidates providing numerous examples of individuals taking the initiative to overcome the limitations of their circumstance. This is usually followed by the insistence that this dream can best occur when government gets out of the way. In schools, we promote a similar message that advises if you study and work hard, you will get a good education. I keep bumping into one circumstance however, that of young children living in poverty, where I believe the government should get in the way.
Last week when our 683 kindergarten students walked through the school house door, it was immediately clear to our teachers which of these children attended preschool, had the benefit of living in a literate-rich home environment or both. I estimate that about 100 of these students had neither. While it is not impossible for the impoverished youngsters to overcome the limitations of starting school from behind, it is wrong to assume that all will do so. In the coming year the federal government will likely make cuts to the entitlement funds that we use to provide a limited preschool experience to about 160 of the borough’s 4-year olds. Looking ahead, its time for Alaska to finally agree to fund public school for its 4-year olds. These children cannot affect their level of poverty, the state however, can. Such support does not build a culture of dependence; it just gives our most vulnerable a fighting chance.
3 Comments
Steve, how wouuld this differ from Head Start?
I understand that there are only five Head Start programs in our borough (the Kenaitze program in Kenai, Chugachmiutt has programs in Seldovia, Port Graham and Nanwale and one in Sterling). The open enrollment of 4-year olds to a state funded preschool within our schools would allow us to serve all those 4-year olds who want to go to preschool. I do not advocate that attendance at preschool should be mandatory. Head Start would still exist and would be an option for a few. Although they too may feel the impact of reduced federal funds.
Access to early childhood education should absolutely be a priority in our state. My (literate-rich) family will pay $3000 over the next two years so our son can attend a part-time private preschool, and he will probably enter Kindergarten in 2014 as a reader as well as have math skills and be used to the social structure of school. It is an advantage that we can budget for, and will be worth every penny.
Is it right, then, that he’s ahead because we could afford to give this early learning experience to him? No. All young children deserve the opportunity for early childhood education, regardless of economic circumstances. School anymore is not just K-12; we really should be thinking of public school as PreK-16, and funding those years as we can.