Preschool Initiative Offers a Better Future
By Charles Weis, Ph. D.
From “Spotlight on Schools” June 2009
A group of education leaders in Santa Clara County has undertaken a very
important project this year—a project that could have long-lasting beneficial
effects not only on our children, but also on our entire community.
The ultimate goal of this effort is to give every 3- and 4-year-old child in
the county an opportunity to participate in a high-quality preschool program.
There’s little doubt about the value such an opportunity would bring.
Participation in high-quality preschool programs can make a difference for a
lifetime. Kids who go to preschool are:
- Less likely to be arrested
- Less likely to be divorced
- Less likely to need mental health services
- More likely to graduate from high school
- More likely to go to college
In short, high-quality preschool programs offer kids a better future. And
every dollar invested in preschool saves the public $7 in social services costs
over the course of a young person’s life.
A hundred years ago, the debate centered around whether 5-year-olds should go
to school—whether they were capable of learning. The answer has proven to be a
resounding “yes.”
The debate of our generation is, “Can 3- and 4-year-olds learn?” In the right
environment, with a well-trained child development specialist, the answer to
that question is also a resounding “yes.”
We want to create a system in Santa Clara County where all 3- and 4-year-olds
can participate in a high-quality program that prepares them for school. Right
now, only half of those children are enrolled in preschool-- and the quality of
many of those programs is uncertain.
The ad-hoc group exploring this issue recently had its second of four
meetings. The goal of these sessions--hosted here at the Santa Clara County
Office of Education--is to produce a comprehensive, coordinated countywide plan
for voluntary preschool that is focused on birth through age five 5, and
coordinates subject matter with elementary schools.
We have a lot of work ahead of us--but we are eager to work to make this
dream for our children become a reality.
Date last updated: June 25, 2009
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