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News :: Children & Education |
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State and Local Community Leaders Define Quality Standards for Universal Pre-K |
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by Debra Rosen
Email: drosen (nospam) mrss.com |
27 Oct 2004
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Leading non-partisan child advocacy organizations, www.QualityPreK.org , school readiness experts and community leaders throughout the state of Florida, announced today the five quality standards that are imperative for the implementation of universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) in Florida. |
Contact:Roy Miller
202.478.6175
Chris Duggan
850-414-6985 ext. 211
www.QualityPreK.org Campaign Launched
ALLAHASSEE, Fla. Leading non-partisan child advocacy organizations, www.QualityPreK.org , school readiness experts and community leaders throughout the state of Florida, announced today the five quality standards that are imperative for the implementation of universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) in Florida. This announcement comes on the heels of Gov. Bush’s veto of the latest UPK bill offered by the legislature during the last session.
The backbone of the campaign is the launch of a new website, www.QualityPreK.org. 50 school readiness coalitions, as well as law enforcement, business and education leaders throughout the state will be working to drive traffic to www.QualityPreK.org.
“It’s time for those who know most about school readiness and high quality UPK to define the specific components of a high quality pre-K program. There seems to be much debate about it, stated Chris Duggan, executive director, Leon/Gadsden School Readiness Coalition. “This is Florida’s best shot at true education reform.”
The Children’s Campaign believes there are five essential elements in a quality pre-K program:
·Ratios of 1-10 and maximum group size of 20. Having one teacher for every 10 children, with class sizes no greater than 20, ensures children receive sufficient attention and guidance to maximize learning and social skill development.
·Educated teachers. Research shows that children make the most significant gains with teachers that have bachelor’s degrees in early childhood education. Groups with two staff should have a lead teacher with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, and an assistant teacher with a Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate.
·Unified educational system. One state educational system for children from birth to age five, with local control and innovation.
·Parent choice between a six-hour full day or a three-hour half-day. Parents should not be forced into shorter half-day programs that they believe will compromise their child’s development.
·Accountability measures. Program and child well-being accountability measures need to be put into place to ensure that every child is ready to move to the next grade level through proven classroom materials and accredited practices.
According to Willette Wilkerson a teacher at Woodville Elementary School, the school readiness problem is not limited to poor or at-risk children. “Almost half the children who do not know the alphabet as they enter kindergarten are middle class or higher,” she stated. “Improving pre-K has the greatest potential to narrow the learning gap for children from all socioeconomic levels.”
Research also shows that there is a direct correlation between high-quality preschools and a lower incidence of crime and violence. According to a report by the anti-crime organization, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, children not enrolled in a quality pre-school program are five times more likely to become chronic lawbreakers as adults.
“Our experience on the front lines has taught us that by giving kids the right start through programs such as high-quality pre-school, we can help ensure that kids don’t grow up to be violent criminals,” stated Walter McNeil, chief of Tallahassee Police Department.
High-quality preschool is also essential to the economic well being of families, business and communities. Research indicates that high quality preschool for children directly improves the productivity of both the current and future workforce.
“Economic development is investment in the workforce,” stated Chris Jensen, president of SouthTrust. “So, where is our best return? Research shows it’s early childhood education.”
In 2002, the people of Florida passed a constitutional amendment to create a voluntary, universal pre-K program for 4-year-olds. By law, the pre-K program was supposed to begin with the 2005 school year. The amendment was popular with voters, passing with almost 60 percent of the vote. The specific measure approved required that Florida’s pre-K system “be voluntary, high quality, free and delivered according to professionally accepted standards.”
“We know that nearly three million people in Florida voted for quality pre-K. But it’s time to speak up again and be heard,” stated Duggan. “Over the next 60 days, legislators may be deciding the fate of our pre-K system. We urge parents, grandparents and everyone else who cares about the quality of our educational system in Florida to be silent no longer.” |
See also:
http://www.qualityprek.org
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This work is in the public domain |
