I am not shy about criticizing the Columbus Dispatch when their coverage or editorials deserve it. But they also offer some good coverage and some worthwhile editorials. So in the interest of fairness allow me to point out today’s example.
All day kindergarten is a favorite of the liberal spend more on education types despite the research that questions its value. The Dispatch has a nice editorial on Strickland’s poor policy on this subject:
The provision in the new, two-year state budget calling for all school districts to offer all-day kindergarten starting in fall 2010 is an unfunded mandate. The precise financial impact on cash-strapped districts is uncertain because of the measure’s lack of clarity.
As with much of Gov. Ted Strickland’s vision for the future of Ohio’s schools, the all-day-kindergarten requirement comes with no sure funding. Although the state-aid formula technically has been changed to allow the full per-pupil amount for each kindergarten student — in the past, districts got half the amount for each kindergartner — overall limits on district funding increases mean most districts won’t see extra money to pay the costs of full-day kindergarten.
The mandate also is squishy: It requires the offering of all-day kindergarten but doesn’t require children to go all day. Under state law, kindergarten attendance is mandatory but needn’t be longer than part time. Districts won’t know their kindergarten costs until they know how many parents want to send their children to the all-day classes.
[...]
Mandating all-day kindergarten for everyone may be a one-size-fits-all solution to a problem that isn’t universal.
If already-squeezed districts are forced to sacrifice other good programs to meet this mandate, Ohioans will see how much it truly costs.
I would go farther, however, and argue that all-day kindergarten is a distraction from the real issue of school reform. The fact that it is another unfunded mandate from the state with unclear rules further undermines any benefit it might bring.
But it is typical liberal “reform” more symbolism than substance and one that is unlikely to help actual children.
6 comments
Jennifer says:
September 4, 2009 at 10:02 am (UTC -4 )
Well, I am new to Ohio and coming from a state that has full day kindergarten I’m feeling regret for moving here! As a parent who works full time, I don’t even see what the good of 2.5 hours of kindergarten is even going to do for a child. My son is in preschool at the moment and I have to shell out $200 bucks a week for that, and with a second one on the way…you guessed it…$400.00 A WEEK just for preschool! Kids who are suffering academically is because most parents cannot afford that high of a cost of day care and therefor have to put the child with a babysitter! Even if I had to pay the school 1/2 of what I pay a month now for full day kindergarten because the funding isn’t there, then so be it, I’d still be saving money!
This isn’t a liberal decision, and after reading your comment I could only come to the conclusion that you do not have young children or a house hold income that requires both parents to work to even understand the need for full day kindergarten, and therefor shouldn’t comment on the subject.
kholtsberry says:
September 4, 2009 at 2:10 pm (UTC -4 )
For the record I have two young children (one in preschool) and know all about the cost of child care. But the discussion is not about sending your kids to school so you don't have to pay daycare costs. The discussion is about the EDUCATIONAL benefits of all day kindergarten and the research seems to indicate that it doesn't deliver on the claims made by many.
Whether government should further subsidize child care in the form of all day kindergarten is another debate.
Comfort says:
November 10, 2009 at 9:10 pm (UTC -4 )
I think this is a wise investment for our future generation.
Gnee says:
January 20, 2010 at 5:02 pm (UTC -4 )
I agree with Kevin that if the state is going to mandate all day kindrgarden they should pay for the extra teachers, classrooms, and teacher's benefits. Most schools don't have the space. The kindergarden teachers I have talked to said as the day goes on they can not keep the children's intrest and spend lots of time keeping trying to keep them happy. Maybe with funding and a better structure it could be a good program in the future. For instance raising the age for kindergarden so the child's birthdate falls after the first of the year. That way the child is more mature and can handle more school time.
RJ says:
March 10, 2010 at 8:12 pm (UTC -4 )
I live in the Lakota district near West Chester, OH. We have about 1,500 students that we aren't receiving a dime from the state for. I can't wait until someone sues the state for that one. Plus, we just eliminated over 100 jobs this week and cut transportation.
I guess Columbus learned from Washington about unfunded mandates. I didn't think that was the way a republic was supposed to work.
casey says:
March 16, 2010 at 2:00 am (UTC -4 )
OK moms. Stop, step back, and take a look at the big picture in our society. Doesn't anyone ponder why the government is mandating how and what we do with our children at such a young age. Shouldn't it be our choice as free citizens to decide on what's best for our children? I am from a family of 8. My dad worked and my mom stayed at home and raised us. We went to church, ate home cooked dinner as a family and spent as much time together as we could. I didn't go to any pre-school and I went to half day K and life was good. Now, fast forward to 2010. Both the father and the mother are forced into a form of working bondage to pay back banks a seemingly endless loan/debt cycle because now days, anyone can become debt slaves with “no credit, bad credit, no problem.” We are stripped from spending time with our kids because we have to dump them off to some qualified stranger for 35 hours a week. Pick them up from latch key, shove fast or frozen food down our throats because who has time to cook, and spend an hour with Jimmy or Sarah before bed watching some mindless TV program together. The government has us to the point where having more than 2 children is simply not financially possible and makes countless methods of birth control easily affordable and available at our finger tips. Can you say POPULATION CONTROL! (At least states like China tell you what the government is doing with their 1 child or will kill policy.) It is the same situation with mandating your 5 year old go off to kindergarten. Of course everyone will think full K is a great idea. It is easy and it makes sense to an average working class because that is the situation they have unwittingly been forced into. Then once we have all adjusted to the norm, perhaps in 10 years or so, Pre-K will be mandated. The family unit, religion, and freedom in general is being assaulted. Quite sad. Please watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ogCc8ObiwQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=DDyDtYy2I0M&fea…