Bill sets rules for voluntary preschool programs
Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2008
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- Despite opponents' claims that it opens the door for mandatory preschool education in South Dakota, legislation that would set rules for voluntary preschool programs is scheduled for consideration Tuesday in the state Senate.
The bill, SB26, would let the state Board of Education devise standards for instruction of 3- and 4-year-old children in school districts.
Deb Barnett, deputy state education secretary, said there are no state regulations now for preschool programs that some school districts offer. The legislation would ensure uniform standards but would not require districts to offer preschool programming, she said.
"We believe in access to pre-kindergarten programs," Barnett said. "We don't believe in mandates."
Children enrolled in preschool programs get off to a better start once they begin kindergarten or first grade, she said. Youngsters who attend preschool classes have improved social skills and do better in language and math once they reach mandatory school age, she said.
Noting that 78 percent of South Dakota women with children younger than 6 are in the work force, Barnett said many of those children come from poor families and would benefit the most from preschool programs.
Opponents said the bill could lead to mandatory preschool programming -- something that they say would usurp the decisions of parents who know best when their children are ready for school.
Opponents added that a spread of preschool programs also would harm day-care businesses that depend on income from the parents of those children. The state already has a hard time funding schools, and that could get worse if it ever begins to fund preschool programs, they said.
Many preschool programs, such as Head Start, already are available and are paid for with federal funds, according to opponents.
"What is the need here?" asked Chris Hupke, president of the South Dakota Family Policy Council.
"There is no science to back up the fact that children need to be in preschool," he said.
Cindy Flakoll, lobbyist for Concerned Women for America, also opposed the bill. She said South Dakota students in younger grades have better test scores than their peers in other states. South Dakota students in the higher grades do not do as well, and perhaps more emphasis should be put there, she said.
"Why not fix what is broken?" Flakoll said.
Sen. Sandy Jerstad, D-Sioux Falls, said the bill does not order school districts to offer preschool programs but merely sets standards for those that do.
"What part of voluntary do you not understand?" Jerstad asked opponents.
Being better prepared for school will help children who otherwise may struggle all the way through school, she said.
"Think about those people who can't afford any kind of decent child care and where they would rather have their children," Jerstad said.
A pilot preschool program started with 85 children last fall in the Sioux Falls School District. Ron Moquist, head of Raven Industries, helped spearhead the effort.
Children from poor families will especially benefit from preschool instruction, Moquist said.
"It's not only good public policy which gives us an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty for these kids but it's also a great investment and one of the best forms of economic development," he said.
"Too many of these at-risk kids are going into kindergarten not ready to learn," Moquist said.
Forty states have programs in their school for preschool children, and none of them make attendance mandatory, he said.
The Senate Education Committee endorsed the bill 6-1 on Thursday, sending it to the full Senate.
The bill, SB26, would let the state Board of Education devise standards for instruction of 3- and 4-year-old children in school districts.
Deb Barnett, deputy state education secretary, said there are no state regulations now for preschool programs that some school districts offer. The legislation would ensure uniform standards but would not require districts to offer preschool programming, she said.
"We believe in access to pre-kindergarten programs," Barnett said. "We don't believe in mandates."
Children enrolled in preschool programs get off to a better start once they begin kindergarten or first grade, she said. Youngsters who attend preschool classes have improved social skills and do better in language and math once they reach mandatory school age, she said.
Noting that 78 percent of South Dakota women with children younger than 6 are in the work force, Barnett said many of those children come from poor families and would benefit the most from preschool programs.
Opponents said the bill could lead to mandatory preschool programming -- something that they say would usurp the decisions of parents who know best when their children are ready for school.
Opponents added that a spread of preschool programs also would harm day-care businesses that depend on income from the parents of those children. The state already has a hard time funding schools, and that could get worse if it ever begins to fund preschool programs, they said.
Many preschool programs, such as Head Start, already are available and are paid for with federal funds, according to opponents.
"What is the need here?" asked Chris Hupke, president of the South Dakota Family Policy Council.
"There is no science to back up the fact that children need to be in preschool," he said.
Cindy Flakoll, lobbyist for Concerned Women for America, also opposed the bill. She said South Dakota students in younger grades have better test scores than their peers in other states. South Dakota students in the higher grades do not do as well, and perhaps more emphasis should be put there, she said.
"Why not fix what is broken?" Flakoll said.
Sen. Sandy Jerstad, D-Sioux Falls, said the bill does not order school districts to offer preschool programs but merely sets standards for those that do.
"What part of voluntary do you not understand?" Jerstad asked opponents.
Being better prepared for school will help children who otherwise may struggle all the way through school, she said.
"Think about those people who can't afford any kind of decent child care and where they would rather have their children," Jerstad said.
A pilot preschool program started with 85 children last fall in the Sioux Falls School District. Ron Moquist, head of Raven Industries, helped spearhead the effort.
Children from poor families will especially benefit from preschool instruction, Moquist said.
"It's not only good public policy which gives us an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty for these kids but it's also a great investment and one of the best forms of economic development," he said.
"Too many of these at-risk kids are going into kindergarten not ready to learn," Moquist said.
Forty states have programs in their school for preschool children, and none of them make attendance mandatory, he said.
The Senate Education Committee endorsed the bill 6-1 on Thursday, sending it to the full Senate.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
