At the Topeka Capital Journal online site this morning is a letter to the editor from a concerned parent upset because his child could not get into a preschool offered by the school district. He brought up some good points about why the opportunity is available for some kids but not others.
However, I would question whether the school districts should be getting involved and expanding these programs at this time. Schools all over the country are facing budget shortfalls and Kansas is not exception. Contrary to some politicians opinion, there is an infinite amount of money that can go to support all government services, including education. There becomes a point where the educators and the administration has to say no more. They must focus on making their current programs.
Don’t start yelling and complaining that I am against education and that I don’t understand that early education is important so that kids get off on the right foot. I know the value of education. 5 of my 7 children attended pre-school and it was beneficial for each of them. However, all 7 of my children were taught at home from an early age which provided them the skills they need to be successful in school. Whether you kids goes to preschool or not, I would encourage you to teach them at home. Read them books. Teach them to right. Let them learn the alphabet and numbers.
If we are going to add $$ for preschool, we must decide what programs we want to cut. Do we want to cut teacher salaries? Money for the Arts? Sports programs? or how about Special Education?
