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Oklahoma's universal preschool program is making a difference
Categories: Toddlers, Preschoolers, Education
Ten years ago, Oklahoma instituted a state-funded preschool program for four-year-olds. The standards for the program are high: the head teacher in every classroom must have a bachelor's degree, there can be no more than twenty students in a class, and there must be one teacher for every ten students. Today, nearly 70 percent of four-year-olds in Oklahoma are enrolled in public preschool, the most of any state in the US, and if Governor Brad Henry has his way, the program will soon include three-year-olds as well. According to an article in Wednesday's New York Times, "This combination of quality and scale makes the Oklahoma program one of the most serious attempts to deal with economic inequality anywhere in the country."
Supporters of universal preschool cite studies that show that students with only one year of preschool score 52 percent better on letter recognition tests than their peers who start school in kindergarten, and that low-income children who go to preschool are more likely to stay in school and less likely to be arrested. But opponents worry that the move to expand public schooling to include younger children marks a shift away from family and toward what they call a "nanny state." Opponents also express concern that starting children on the academic treadmill at four--or three--denies them their childhood.
What do you think? Is universal preschool the bridge between rich and poor? Or is it one more way we are compelling our children to grow up before they are ready?
Supporters of universal preschool cite studies that show that students with only one year of preschool score 52 percent better on letter recognition tests than their peers who start school in kindergarten, and that low-income children who go to preschool are more likely to stay in school and less likely to be arrested. But opponents worry that the move to expand public schooling to include younger children marks a shift away from family and toward what they call a "nanny state." Opponents also express concern that starting children on the academic treadmill at four--or three--denies them their childhood.
What do you think? Is universal preschool the bridge between rich and poor? Or is it one more way we are compelling our children to grow up before they are ready?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tammy S 2-09-2007 @ 10:11AM
Arming children with the basics of education, at any age, shouldn't be viewed as forcing them to grow up too soon nor taking their childhood away from them. Isn't schooling apart of childhood? My child has been in "school" since she was 4 months old because I am a single parent and have to work. Am I depriving her of having a childhood because of that? My daughter is learning social skills is and sharp as a tack. I think that her early "education" is the reason she is such a well adjusted child.
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Mayo 2-09-2007 @ 10:55AM
As an OK resident and a mama of a two and 1/2 year old in the SoonerStart program who will be starting school, I'm all for it. Its an opportunity for socializations and education for younger children. They are veritable sponges. If eductaion is started early and is fun, they will enjoy it more later.
I also have a ten and 1/2 month old, and am hoping they will pass this bill so he doesn't have to wait until he's four to go.
(The Soonerstart program allows the children in it to enroll in school on their third birthday, whenever that is during teh school year. It helps children with severe delays and small speech/language/hearing problems.)
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mamaloo 2-09-2007 @ 9:30AM
Ontario has had this program since at least the early 70's. I can still remember Junior Kindergarten in the mid 70's.
I think, in light of the studies that have shown that children's first five years are extrememly important for setting up their personalities, habits and learning styles, that having children start "preschool" or junior kindergarten, as we call it up here, at 4 years old is a good idea. This is naturally when they begin to learn abstract concepts like reading, preschool capitalizes on this.
Besides, in an age where children live slightly more isolated lives than we did (no opening the door in the morning to let them run around the neighbourhood till we call them for lunch), the socialization is bound to be good for them.
Good job OK!
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april 2-09-2007 @ 12:22PM
They offer universal nusery school here in Scotland and our experience with it has been great. My son has not "lost his childhood" - it is not like proper school, and it is is not all day.
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SKL 2-09-2007 @ 12:26PM
I think as long as this is really kid-friendly and they do encourage free movement and free socializing as well as a limited schedule of academics, it is probably a good thing. The key is to make this an enriching experience, not just a babysitting service where kids do pretty much what they would do at home.
However, I wouldn't make much of the statistic that poor kids who go to preschool are less likely to have certain problems later. The fact that their parents care enough to put them in preschool (yes, even free preschool) is itself an indicator that, throughout their childhood, they will be guided with more loving care and taught some self-worth.
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michelle 2-09-2007 @ 1:58PM
There are other points against universal preschool, not just whether kids are being pushed too soon (which is also a valid concern.) One big issue is, given the sad state of K-12 education in this country, is creating a whole new government preschool program really the best use of tax dollars? So kindergarteners who go to preschool recognize letters sooner? The others will catch up quickly. (40 years ago no one went to preschool, yet everyone learned to read.) Another recent study found that most "benefits" from preschool fade by 3rd grade. And the "stay out of jail" study so often cited was based on a program in the inner city that included a lot more than preschool (parental education, home visits, etc.) I've done a lot of research on this issue and it is not at all clear that preschool is so wonderfully beneficial to justify billions of tax dollars spent on new government programs.
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Uly 2-09-2007 @ 10:56PM
I think universal *access* to early education, is a wonderful thing. Not everybody is able to stay home with their young children, and too often the daycare situation is less than stimulating.
I also am in favor of more parental leave options, and for longer.
But I do not like the trend that I have observed of assuming that every child must be in preschool by the age of three or they're somehow being "held back". Not every child is ready for preschool at that age! And not every child really benefits from that form of early education - many of them are better off learning at home.
I also wish public educational programs for children under the age of 6 (when compulsary education laws kick in) were more flexible. If you have a good schedule with your kid, and they're being adaquately educated and stimulated at home, why should your only option be a 5-day-a-week program? Why can't your 4-year-old go three days a week if you think that'd serve them best? Or go 2 days a week, but one of those days is Saturday because you waitress and that's when you're working?
That would be a bit harder to implement, but well worth it, I think.
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Sherrie 2-11-2007 @ 1:20PM
My little boy has been in pre school Headstart since he was 2. He has the iq of a 9 year old knows his abcs and can count to 30 writes his name knows his address is active in basketball and soccer. He is a bit spoiled but we do have a great family life and do alot of family activities so I say yes for early schooling.
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