It is always surprising that there is heated debate when it comes to giving children the best education possible, which in turn directly impacts their chances at success in later life. However, government agencies are still arguing over whether there should be pre K for all in Astoria NY and everywhere else. Disadvantaged kids have been the beneficiaries of special programs for a number of years. Those with the means have sent their children to private pre-kindergartens for at least three decades.
A long time ago, first grade was a child's introduction to formal education. Decades ago, school systems, and private institutions, added optional kindergarten classes. In the last few decades pre-kindergarten has gained acceptance as the gateway to elementary school and beyond. Studies show that, though not mandatory, these classes are extremely important to academic success.
Statistics show that kids who start with this kind of disadvantage have a hard time catching up, and some never do. If these children don't even understand the alphabet when they enter kindergarten, they are most likely to be behind their peers when it comes to first grade reading levels. This often continues into the fourth grade, where almost ninety percent are still behind. It doesn't get any better as they enter high school.
No Child Left Behind may be gone, but states are supposed to demand accountability from their school systems. There are national standards, and states have remedies in place to correct problems in school that don't meet those guidelines. It is up to all the academic agencies to make sure the educational gaps, between minority and low income students and high income level children, closes. A robust pre-kindergarten curriculum can be an invaluable part of that.
Kindergarten teachers have an especially hard job because the children who enter their classrooms come in at all levels of maturity, experience, and academic skills. It slows everyone down when the teacher has to spend all day dealing with kids who haven't learned to follow directions, work independently and don't have even basic academic skills. These children tend to be the ones who did not attend pre-kindergarten.
Middle income children often seem to be suffering most when it comes to elementary school readiness. It surprises many that the gap between upper and middle income school readiness is greater than that between the middle and lower income. Half of middle income children don't know the alphabet when they enter kindergarten, and more than ten percent end up dropping out of school.
In order to assist at risk children, the government has implemented special programs with varying success. Parents are sometimes reluctant to enroll their children in these programs because they fear it might stigmatize them. Studies have shown that these programs actually adversely affect middle and upper income level children.
Kids have a lot of challenges. Getting a good education shouldn't be one of them. It is up to the adults of the world to ensure children get all the academic advantages available.
A long time ago, first grade was a child's introduction to formal education. Decades ago, school systems, and private institutions, added optional kindergarten classes. In the last few decades pre-kindergarten has gained acceptance as the gateway to elementary school and beyond. Studies show that, though not mandatory, these classes are extremely important to academic success.
Statistics show that kids who start with this kind of disadvantage have a hard time catching up, and some never do. If these children don't even understand the alphabet when they enter kindergarten, they are most likely to be behind their peers when it comes to first grade reading levels. This often continues into the fourth grade, where almost ninety percent are still behind. It doesn't get any better as they enter high school.
No Child Left Behind may be gone, but states are supposed to demand accountability from their school systems. There are national standards, and states have remedies in place to correct problems in school that don't meet those guidelines. It is up to all the academic agencies to make sure the educational gaps, between minority and low income students and high income level children, closes. A robust pre-kindergarten curriculum can be an invaluable part of that.
Kindergarten teachers have an especially hard job because the children who enter their classrooms come in at all levels of maturity, experience, and academic skills. It slows everyone down when the teacher has to spend all day dealing with kids who haven't learned to follow directions, work independently and don't have even basic academic skills. These children tend to be the ones who did not attend pre-kindergarten.
Middle income children often seem to be suffering most when it comes to elementary school readiness. It surprises many that the gap between upper and middle income school readiness is greater than that between the middle and lower income. Half of middle income children don't know the alphabet when they enter kindergarten, and more than ten percent end up dropping out of school.
In order to assist at risk children, the government has implemented special programs with varying success. Parents are sometimes reluctant to enroll their children in these programs because they fear it might stigmatize them. Studies have shown that these programs actually adversely affect middle and upper income level children.
Kids have a lot of challenges. Getting a good education shouldn't be one of them. It is up to the adults of the world to ensure children get all the academic advantages available.
About the Author:
Check out adventurelandchildcarecenter.com for a summary of the factors to consider when selecting a preschool program. You can also get more info about a reputable school that offers pre K for all in Astoria NY at http://www.adventurelandchildcarecenter.com/prek-for-all-program-achievers-class