On a party line vote, Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee took the first step to end preschool for nearly 20,000 Iowa kids tonight and shut down a small business job creation initiative.
“Unfortunately, the Republican plan puts our kids and small businesses last. I’m extremely disappointed that the largest cost saving measure suggested by Republicans is to kick four year olds out of preschool next year,” said State Rep. Tyler Olson, D-Cedar Rapids, who is Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Republicans also eliminated an effort to help small businesses expand and create new jobs. House Democrats will work with Republicans to make state government more efficient, but we won’t do it at the expense of hard working families and small businesses.”
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My daughter is in the 4 year old pre-school program right now. In the last 4 months I have watched her both develop intellectually and socially. The confidence she now shows in both herself and her knowledge is priceless.
My husband and I both work. Without this program we would not have been able to afford both day care and preschool. Amazingly enough they both cost the same as we did the research prior to finding out about the program.
You should be ashamed of yourselves. Our government needs to cut spending, we all know this. However, it should not be at the expense our four year olds. It should not be at the expense our states future.
I love Iowa. I have lived here my entire life. But if these are the decisions we are making, I have serious doubts about our future and the path we will be taking to get there.
It is penny wise (not really too wise there either) and pound foolish to cut funding of preschool programs. Many studies have demonstrated the benefits of early childhood and preschool programs. This should be seen as an investment not as a cost. As an employer I much prefer to have employees with good social skills as well as the ability to reason and make good sound decisions. Preschool programs are a good first step for our youngest to start to build on the skills they will need later in life. I would much rather pay a little more in taxes now to fund this than to pay substantially more down the road for the social programs that will be needed and may be avoidable.
Preschool programs need to be provided and available for Iowa youngsters. As a former teacher, I can attest to their value, in that the kids are more socially ready for instruction in kindergarten. Fortunately I was able to afford preschool for my second daughter, but not my first. The youngest was confident, eager to make many friends, and ready to learn in kindergarten. Knowing of course that each child is different in developmental readiness, at least having the chance to get that wonderful encouragement to learn at an early age, with age appropriate tasks, is vital to a growing mind. This type of program should not be only available to those who can afford to pay for it.
Believe it or not, the 4 year old program has threatened quality private preschools in our area and limited 3 year old programs. Private preschools can’t operate with 3 year olds alone, they need the 4 year olds too. I’d rather see it go away so the better quality preschools can stay in business. We have an excellent head start program for low income, I’d rather see that program expanded than a free-for-all approach.
I am writing to urge you to save our 4 year old pre-school program. I am a mother of 2 young children who stays at home. Without this funding I will not be able to send my child to pre-school next year. My husband makes too much money for me to get state funding support, but too little for us to afford $150-$200 a month. I know how important this is to my children. I am an ex-educator with a double masters degree…I see the importance, as a parent and educator. Thus said, I cannot afford to work on a teacher’s salary and put my kids in daycare and pre-school. I am stuck in the middle.
I moved back to Iowa 3 years because I wanted top education for my children, but this would really be a back-slide for the state. They pay for teachers it bad enough, don’t take away or chlidren’s educational future.
I am writing to urgue you to continue to support the State Preschool Program. My son attends our 4 year old program in our district and it is has been a wonderful experience for us. He is learning the skills, accademically and socially, that he will need next year when he enters kindergarten. This would not have been the case if this program would not have been available, for a few reasons, I would not have been able to afford to send him to preschool and the quality in our town is just not available. My husband and I both work, making to much money to get into state funded programs but not enough to pay for both daycare and preschool for our 2 young children. Plus our school preschool program is beyond the quality of ANY preschools available in our area, including headstart. It is wonderful!!!!
I myself, am a kindergarten teacher, so I deal daily with the students who have not had experiences that preschool provide. Kindergarten is no longer the snack, playtime, social experience that it once was. Upon entering kindergarten we expect our students to know a lot of the basic skills already. Our students are learning Math, Phonics, Reading and Writing when they enter our doors – most reading by Winter break. If we want to close the gap – 4 year old state preschool is a MUST!!! These students are our future: future doctors, CEO’s, attorneys, govenors,etc. We owe it to our future and the future of our state to provide them with this program.
Look under the Save Preschool tab to see many more comments.
I want the State Preschool Program to continue. I would like my son to attend when he’s old enough. I believe preschool is a great way to prepare children accademically and socially for kindergarten.
The 4 year preschool is crucial for our children to meet all the demands put on them these days. The state wants quality
education and from my experience if our children do not start in school younger than 5 we are having a hard time meeting these expectations.
My daughter currently attends preschool through the State Voluntary program. It has been a wonderful experience for her. She is excited about going to school. She has learned many skills that are preparing her for her educational journey. Her vocabulary has increased dramatically. My husband and I both work. Our daughter would not have been able to attend preschool if this program was not offered. We live in a rural Iowa community. Previously, the only programs were for a few hours of the day. We would not have been able to get our daughter to preschool because we were working. Please keep the State Wide Voluntary Preschool Program!! It gives all children a step ahead!!!
My husband died while our three daughters were very small, I raised them alone without begging the other taxpayers to take over my responsibilities. I ‘decided’ to not send them to preschool because I think their childhood is cut-off too soon even with starting kindergarten. I have always been thankful that I had those experiences with each of them.
Everyone is different, if you want your child to have the experience of preschool that’s your choice but it’s also your responsibility. You pay the bill.
Incidentally, all three of my daughters knew their names, addresses, phone numbers, could tie their shoes, could count to one hundred and read some simple stories from primers when they started kindergarten. This interaction is and was a blessing to me. I had to work outside the home as many mothers do so, yes, it was difficult. I don’t blame anyone for wanting to send them off to get that start outside the home. I do however strongly disagree with your decision to try to pass the bill off other Iowans especially in today’s economic climate.
My 4 year-old son attends preschool through the public school system. I have seen tremendous growth in his maturity since he began the program. His level of vocabulary and problem solving skills is higher than what an average private daycare can accomodate. The education that he is provided in preschool has helped him to advance his learning and improve his social skills. Until pre-school, he had been in an in-home daycare environment since he was born where he was the only child of his age. He is now in an environment that fosters friendship and relationship building that is vital for psychological growth. While I understand that the state needs to start somewhere with regards to budget cuts, Education cuts are not the answer. I would be willing to pay and additional tax to make it possible for my child to continue this program. Perhaps reviewing the welfare programs and the fraud in the state workforce development center should be at the top of the list. Representatives may actually find that the problem lies with in these government programs and not education.
What short sightedness to do away with preschool for Iowa’s children. Kdg. teachers can determine on the first day of school which kids have and have not had preschool. The students with preschool experience are advanced in social skills, following directions, accepting feedback, plus all academic areas. KEEP the preschool support in place.
My son attended pre-school at Prairie View Elementary School last year. He now attends kindergarten at Truman in Cedar Rapids. My son was always a shy, nervous kid who hates any change. He still hates change and transitions for him are very difficult. His doctors have been and are continuing to evaluate him for Asperger’s Syndrome which is a form of high functioning autism… It is mainly a social disorder. He is extremely intelligent and is one of the top readers in his class. I FIRMLY believe that if he hadn’t had the structure and socialization he got attending pre-school, he would not be thriving as he is today. Pre-school is so important for these kids. If your child hasn’t gone through one of these programs, then you probably don’t know how much like elementary school these programs are. They have a structures schedule with recess and lunch like the other children in the elementary school. I cannot say enough good things about this program. I can’t even say how proud I am to be a democrat…
My son has attended two years of preschool which is in question. When he started preschool last year, he barely talked and wasn’t where a 3 year old should be. This is his second year and he is talking, can write his name, knows his alphabet, can count to twenty and so on. If you take away the preschool program, other children like my son will be behind when they start kindergarden. My son will start kindergarden this fall and if it wasn’t for preschool he would not be ready or have the social skills for kindergarden. I have two younger children and if you take away this program you are taking away from their future.