“An estimated 30 to 40% of children enter kindergarten without social and emotional skills and language experiences needed to be initially successful in school” (Darling-Hammond, 2010, p. 33).
Our country needs high-quality, federally-funded early childhood education available to all students. Students can then enter kindergarten socially and academically prepared. Since 1965, Head Start has been a program available to low-income families for early childhood education. Click on “What is Head Start?” to learn more about that program in the U.S.
I also have included sections to read what proponents and opponents of federally-funded early childhood education argue. As you might expect, people in business may look at the situation a little differently than a parent with little resources and a preschool-aged child.
Read over my pages and decide for yourself based on the evidence provided. Is this something in which our country needs to invest more? Is the cost of early childhood education worth it in the long run? You’ll see that many studies have proven it does have great long-term results, but it’s still hard for some people to invest money in something now when the results are so far away.
Consider my pages with equity in mind, as well. Is it fair that only some children in our country have the opportunity to attend preschool and become prepared for kindergarten (socially and academically)? Is it fair that only some children come into kindergarten understanding the social setting and what is acceptable and feeling that early success in education? Is it fair that only some children have parents who understand how to support them at home? The list goes on and on. My final question is: Is it fair that only the children whose parents earn enough money, speak English fluently, and have the time to support them are the ones starting school with a feeling of success and not the dread of being left behind already in kindergarten? It doesn’t seem fair to me that some students start out of the gate years behind their peers just because of socioeconomic status.
littlefootstepstobigchange 