As a former HeadStart (pre-kindergarten) teacher, I truly feel that there is a large need for quality education for young children. I feel that this is a critical area of education that is too often overlooked. I am thrilled that Obama’s “Zero to Five” eduction plan places key emphasis on early care and education for infants, which I feel is essential for children to be ready to enter kindergarten. President Obama has proposed a plan “Zero to Five” that will be used to support parents and their young children. Obama’s plan is to provide states with early learning college grants which will allow states to have the money to provide quality early childcare for young children. Under this plan, Obama is giving the means to help all states to move toward a voluntary and universal preschool. Obama also plans to quadruple Early Head Start, increase Head Start funding, and improve quality for both. Obama’s plan will also provide affordable and high-quality child care to ease the burden on working families. I agree with Obama’s theory that the earlier children begin formal education, the better chance they have to compete and succeed in this nation.
http://www.newamerica.net/blog/early-ed-watch/2008/primary-watch-barack-obamas-early-education-agenda-3239
3 responses so far ↓
1
jcarothers1
// Apr 18, 2009 at 9:04 pm
The zero-to-five plan sounds great in theory, but I have reservations. After working in a Head Start preschool for a short while I have to confess that I am not a big fan. I am a strong believer in early preschool education, the earlier the better, but any federally subsidized program should be monitored on a regular basis, with strict guidelines for academics that are to be adhered to. My experience with this program was that it was a poorly run, under-funded daycare with very little learning involved. As long as “improve quality” I am on board with the plan.
2
sanderson34
// Apr 18, 2009 at 11:10 pm
I absolutely agree with Jody regarding the drawbacks of the Head Start program and the need for regular monitoring of federally-subsidized programs such as these. I, too, have experienced Head Start as a glorified day care with very little substance to it. I don’t agree with allocating our precious tax dollars to support these programs unless they are held to extremely high standards.
3
colettesblog
// Apr 19, 2009 at 9:10 am
I agree with both Jody and Shelby. It is so unfortunate because the idea behind Head Start is such a good one that seems to benefit both the child and the family. However, the quality of Head Starts vary across the nation. It is wonderful that your experience in Cobb was a good one and that could be attributed to the fact that the Head Start was under a school system so salaries were higher, attracting more qualified teachers. Hopefully with the increase of funding and more Head Starts, a better evaluation and monitoring system will be put into place to ensure that all Head Starts are of good quality.
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