Letters: Pre-K is critical to a child's future
ISSUE | PRE-K Early start is key As a retired educator, I agree with three pediatricians concerning early schooling ("Failure to adequately fund pre-K hurts Pa. children," Wednesday). I am especially pleased that they endorsed state funding of structured pre-K programs such as Head Start and Pre-K Counts.
ISSUE | PRE-K
Early start is key
As a retired educator, I agree with three pediatricians concerning early schooling ("Failure to adequately fund pre-K hurts Pa. children," Wednesday). I am especially pleased that they endorsed state funding of structured pre-K programs such as Head Start and Pre-K Counts.
I have observed Head Start classrooms while supervising teachers in training and can testify that they provide enriched, holistic environments for children starting at age 3. Besides school readiness, they provide nutrition, training in good health practices, and parental involvement. These are all antidotes to the toxic stress that can damage children's developing brains and create lifelong problems. Funding quality preschool is investing in the future growth and stability of our community.
|Gloria C. Endres, Philadelphia, sisglo@aol.com
Poor kids benefit
The letter "Parents should earn child's pre-K" (Friday) ignored the educational needs of economically underprivileged children. It misstated the opportunity for success of those children compared with children of the "Lexus set" to whom it pointed as examples.
Research shows that high-quality prekindergarten strengthens a child's overall performance in grades K through 12. It significantly improves early literacy, language, math, social, and emotional skills as they enter kindergarten; halves special-education placements through second grade; reduces grade repetition by as much as a third through eighth grade; and increases the likelihood of high school graduation and college enrollment, which lead to stronger employment opportunities and increased earning potential.
Pre-K helps poor students receive an education that will prepare them for economic and social success.
|F. John Hagele, community representative, Philadelphia Prekindergarten Head Start Policy Council, Haverford
Poverty not a choice
In my many years in pediatric practice, I learned that poverty happens to many people for many reasons. It is never a choice someone makes. Often it is due to poor educational opportunities.
At the very least, let's not penalize kids by saying their parents should have worked harder.
|Dr. Barbara W. Gold, Philadelphia
Educational equality
My first reaction to the letter "Parents should earn child's pre-K" (Monday) was that it was shockingly cruel and shortsighted. On a second reading, however, I decided the first line, though sarcastic, was right: Educating the poor is the right thing to do.
Forget about just pre-K; let's go all the way - pre-K through high school. That would mean dissolving school district boundaries so kids can attend the best school, not just the one in their district, which might be terrible. It would mean ending the economic strangulation of parents in poor districts, who pay proportionally more in real estate taxes or rent than parents in richer districts. It would mean putting vast amounts of money into buildings, computers, and up-to-date books and equipment for all kids.
So, yes, let's educate all kids equally.
|Cheryl C. Spaulding, Downingtown, ccspaulding@verizon.net
Not a luxury
I am appalled by a letter equating pre-K education with luxury cars and McMansions. Education is not a luxury. Free and equal education for all is meant to be one of the brightest jewels in Miss Liberty's crown.
And I'm disgusted that the letter judged those who "keep having babies they can't afford."
|Marie Conn, Hatboro, mconn56@yahoo.com
